Discover the latest developments from the City Council meeting on April 27, 2021, including proposed changes to sewer billing and collections, the rationale behind the timing of assessment rolls, challenges with delinquent accounts, and updates to the Lindsay Municipal Code to align with current practices.
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Presentation Transcript
Sewer Billing & Collections CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 27, 2021
1. Charge residential sewer accounts on Tax Rolls 2. Place delinquent Water, Sewer & Trash on Tax Rolls For Consideration Tonight 3. Authorize City Manager to finalize contract with Webb Financial 4. Change Muni Code to reflect City Council direction (Public Hearing item)
Why now? Timing of assessment rolls Info due to Tulare County in August Billed in December & April Unemployment rate is at pre-pandemic levels, currently 10% Considerable amount of money for utilities and rent relief American Rescue CARES Act Community Development Block Grants RescuePlan
Sewer CURRENTLY One bill to account holders for Water, Sewer & Trash PROPOSED Residential, multifamily billed on tax rolls twice annually. Residential, Commercial, & Multi Family all billed monthly on one bill Commercial will remain unchanged. Delinquent billing will be done annually on the tax rolls Delinquencies sent to collections Limited options to collect No shut offs or late fees Monthly bills for water & trash
Status of Delinquent Accounts Total Amount Delinquent for water, sewer, & trash: $229,164.87 No water shutoffs are allowed under state law No late fees are collected Delinquent Accounts sent to collections Consistently is an issue Difficult to collect 2019: $528.50 2018: $298.00
Delinquent Accounts Total Amount Delinquent for water, sewer, & trash: $229,164.87 $229,164.87 COUNTY OF TULARE COSTS COLLECTION AGENCY COSTS County charges $200 plus $1 per parcel Collection agency charges 38% or more on recovered money: Consultant Contract - $5K County $600 Total Cost to recover: $87,082 Consultant $5,000 Total $5,600 Can be assessed every year to City through property tax payments
Lindsay Municipal Code: Title 13 Public Services Objectives: Bring Title 13 of Muni Code up to date with current city practices surrounding water, sewer, and refuse Majority of changes include updates to duties previously assigned to City Clerk A starting point Lindsay s Municipal Code contains 19 Titles in all will likely require similar housekeeping overhauls in the future *All amendments in Ordinance 587 reviewed by City Attorney as to form and content
Lindsay Municipal Code: Title 13 Public Services Other proposed amendments: Deletion of super bill requirement for water, sewer, and refuse disposal i.e. that all charges must be paid together Prop 218 requirements for determining service charges (California State Law Article XIIIC, Section 5.32.040, 5.32.310) Delinquency charges and penalties for water, sewer, or disposal would be applied to and recovered by the City through Tulare County property tax rolls
Public Outreach Letters to property owners Provide information on resources Federal, State and Local relief for rent & utility payments for qualifying individuals and families. Public Workshops Public Hearings Additional notices sent out if delinquent
Approve contract, Muni Code changes and direct staff to move forward Staff meets with consultant to go over details and goals of the City Timeline Send letters / post to social media to notify account holders & property owners Hold public workshops Public Meeting / Hearing in July / August
