HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 06.d August 17, 2015 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 5, 2015 to certify delinquent
utility bills for collection with the 2016 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 5, 2015 until December 31, 2016.
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 4% of Lakeville’s utility 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 31% of the delinquent balance is typically paid prior to the public
hearing. A final list of the accounts to be certified will be provided to the City Council
at the public hearing.
___________________________________
Jerilyn Erickson, Finance Director
Financial Impact: $____________Budgeted: Y/N ____ Source: __________________
Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.): _______________________________________
Community Values: Good Value for Public Services
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 5th day of October, 2015 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 17th day of August, 2015 by the City Council
of the City of Lakeville.
CITY OF LAKEVILLE
By: ________________________________
Matt Little, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
Charlene Friedges, City Clerk