City Council Faces Backlash Over Utility Bills and Fees

During a recent city council meeting, significant discussions emerged regarding property liens, permit fees, and equitable business licensing in Port Angeles.

A resident raised concerns about the city’s lack of action in liening properties with unpaid utility bills, citing a personal experience with a distressed property that had $5,200 in unpaid bills. The resident urged the council to consider implementing a system to address these financial obligations more effectively, especially in light of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conversation shifted to the topic of waiving permit fees, with mixed opinions expressed. While some council members supported the idea to encourage construction projects, including schools, others questioned the fairness of selectively waiving fees for certain organizations. A specific example highlighted was the potential waiver for Pacific Lutheran University, which raised concerns about consistency in fee structures, particularly in comparison to larger entities like Amazon.

Steven Palleo, a local business owner, pointed out that the city’s projections for lodging tax collections appeared overly conservative, suggesting that actual collections could reach between $1.2 million and $1.3 million this year. He also noted discrepancies in short-term rental licensing fees, advocating for a more equitable approach to business licensing that considers the scale of operations.

Council member Lindsay emphasized the importance of evaluating the broader benefits of decisions beyond immediate revenue impacts. She argued for a focus on the community benefits of increased housing availability and walkable neighborhoods, suggesting that the economic advantages of such developments could outweigh the costs associated with waived fees.

The meeting concluded with a call for the council to consider these perspectives as they move forward with policy decisions affecting the community's economic landscape.