HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 06.dLakeville
September 15, 2014
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 6, 2014 to certify delinquent
utility bills for collection with the 2015 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 October 6, 2014 until December 31, 2015.
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.
D A±&T5
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 6th day of October, 2014 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 15th day of September, 2014 by the City
Council of the City of Lakeville.
CITY OF LAKEVILLE
By:
Matt Little, Mayor
ATTEST:
Charlene Friedges, City Clerk