5540 144th Ave NW Past Due Utility Bill Assessment

On September 22, 2026 City Council held a public hearing to certify delinquent accounts.  Delinquent accounts have through November 15, 2026 to pay off the amount.   5540 144th Ave NW was included in the assessment roll for a delinquent amount of $1,024.88, $40 administrative fee and $84.87 in interest penalty.  The City Council motioned to remove 5540 144th Ave NW from the assessment roll for further discussion.

Background:
During the week January 26, 2026, staff began communicating with the property owner related to a utility bill in the amount of $1,344.26.  Quarterly utility bills include charges for water, sanitary sewer, recycling, storm water, MN test fees and street light charges.  The property owner questioned why the bill would be so high.  Of the total bill amount, $1,202.27 represents only the water portion.

Based on staff’s experience, the water usage was higher than what is typically seen and likely caused by a leak.  The property owner was not aware of a leak.  Staff offered to pull the daily usage data log, but the meter at the property was an old-style requiring access to the home.  The City has been actively upgrading meters to a new style that allows data to be accessed without needing to enter the property.  Staff replaced the existing meter on January 29, 2026.  At that time, staff also was able to access the data log to analysis the daily usage.  The data log is attached to the case for reference.

Staff found that between the dates of November 29, 2025 and January 2, 2026, the property experienced high water usage not typical of the home.  Other higher usage days occurred leading up to the November 29th date, but not to the same consist levels that occurred in the above referenced date range.  Following January 2nd, the daily usage dropped to a consistent level the property more normally experience.  Based on this data, staff continues to believe a leak was occurring in the home otherwise high usage readings would have likely continued through the January 29th date the meter was replaced.

The owner continued to question the function of the meter, noting they believed a leak had not occurred in the home.  In situations like these, staff offers to send meters to a third-party evaluator for further testing.  If the meter is found to be properly functioning, a $90 fee is charged back to the owner.  The property owner declined the offer.  Staff has since disposed of the old meter due to the time that has passed and the fact that the city is replacing these old-style meters.

At the September 22, 2026 City Council meeting, a question was asked on what the next highest bill was for this property.  Looking back one year, the next highest water usage charge was $236.02.
 

The property owner was notified that City Council would be discussing this item at tonight’s meeting.

Utility rates are established and charged to users of the specific utility.  Revenue from bills account for the costs associated to operate and maintain our infrastructure.

Determine an amount due in order to allow the property owner time to pay the balance.  Any amount past due, will need to be approved to be certified to the property taxes for payment in 2027.  The owner would still be able to pay off the amount prior to November 15, 2026.

Provide consensus direction on the amount owed and to bring a resolution for to certify the unpaid balance to 2027 Property Taxes.