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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 06.kLakeville August 28, 2012 Item No. Resolution Calling Public Hearing to Certify Unpaid Utility Charges to the County Auditor - Treasurer and specially assessing delinquent street light charges Proposed Action Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to approve Resolution calling Public Hearing to Certify Unpaid Utility Charges to the County Auditor - Treasurer and specially assessing delinquent street light charges. Passage of this motion will result in public hearing on October 15, 2012 to certify delinquent utility bills for collection with the 2013 taxes. Overview The City can minimize its losses due to bankruptcies by certifying delinquent utility accounts to taxes. In addition to certifying the amount delinquent, the City also collects a $35 service charge to cover the cost of certification and interest at a rate of 18% per annum of the amount delinquent for the period of November 15, 2012 until December 31, 2013. Minnesota Statutes require the City to call a public hearing for the certification process. Public notice of the hearing will be mailed to customers and published in the paper. The certification process affects about 2% of Lakeville customers. Primary Issues to Consider • Is certification process the most efficient method of collecting delinquent accounts? In the staff's opinion, certification is the least labor- intensive method of collecting delinquent accounts. It is also the process least likely to foster ill will amongst customers. Supporting Information • Approximately 60% of the delinquent accounts will pay their balances in full prior to the public hearing. A final list of the accounts to be certified will be provided to the the public hearing. Den as° e er, Finance Director Financial Impact: $ Budgeted: Y/N Source: Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.): Notes: CITY OF LAKEVILLE RESOLUTION No RESOLUTION CALLING PUBLIC HEARING TO CERTIFY UNPAID UTILITY CHARGES TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR - TREASURER AND SPECIALLY ASSESSING DELINQUENT STREET LIGHT CHARGES WHEREAS, Minn. Stat. 444.075, Subd. 3 authorizes the City to certify unpaid sanitary sewer, water and storm sewer charges ( "utility charges ") to the County Auditor- Treasurer for collection with taxes; and WHEREAS, Minn. Stat, 429.101 authorizes the City to special assess unpaid street light charges ( "special charges "); and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Lakeville: 1. A public hearing shall be held on the 15th day of October, 2012 at the Lakeville Council Chambers, 20195 Holyoke Avenue, at 7:00 p.m. to consider certifying unpaid utility charges to the County Auditor - Treasurer for collection with taxes and assessment of special charges. 2. The City Clerk is hereby directed to cause a notice of the hearing to be published once in the official newspaper at least two (2) weeks prior to the hearing. The City Clerk shall also cause mailed notice to be given to the owner of each parcel described in the unpaid utility charge list not less than two (2) weeks prior to the hearing. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 4rh day of September 2012 by the City Council of the City of Lakeville. CITY OF LAKEVILLE Bv: Mark Bellows, Mayor ATTEST: Charlene Friedges, City Clerk