The Oak Park City Council took a significant step towards addressing outstanding property charges during their recent meeting, approving a resolution that authorizes the city assessor to prepare special assessment roles. This move targets unpaid charges totaling over $355,000, which includes delinquent utilities, false alarms, and property blight.

Deputy Treasurer Crawford presented a detailed list of properties with outstanding debts, highlighting the need for action to recover funds. The total amount includes $355,687.16 for utilities, $2,200 for false alarms, $4,120.33 for miscellaneous concrete replacements, $32,597.43 for property blight, and $317,450.91 for sidewalk replacements.

The council's resolution includes a 10% penalty on these unpaid charges, which will be added to the real property tax role. This decision aims to encourage property owners to settle their debts and improve the overall financial health of the city.

By adopting this resolution, the council is taking a proactive approach to manage delinquent accounts and enhance community standards. The next steps will involve the city assessor preparing the special assessment roles, paving the way for the city to recover these overdue charges effectively.