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Council writes off missed Cedar Point assessment charges for built lots, requires payment at permit for remaining lots
Summary
Apple Valley approved a write-off of special-assessment charges that had not been billed to several Cedar Point parcels; the council agreed to waive charges for six lots with completed homes (totaling $4,229.68) and to require the $750 assessment for remaining undeveloped lots at the time of building-permit application.
The Apple Valley Town Council on March 12 approved a write-off of missed special-assessment charges for several lots in the Cedar Point area and set collection procedures for the remaining unpaid lots.
Town staff explained that an ordinance created a special-assessment fee intended to fund street work; the town stopped charging the fee at an earlier date and some lots were not billed. Michelle, Town staff (recorder), brought the oversight to staff attention. Scott Taylor, Councilmember, proposed waiving the charge for lots where houses already stand rather than back-billing residents. "If the town forgot to bill someone and they put their house in, I really have a hard time going back and asking for people to pay these charges," Taylor said.
Staff reported six lots already have houses; the total of missed assessments on those properties is $4,229.68. Ten additional lots in Cedar Point do not yet have homes; staff said those lots should be charged the assessment at the time the owner applies for a building permit (the assessed amount discussed was $750 per lot). Several council members expressed sympathy for residents on fixed budgets and agreed the town’s administrative error justified absorbing the amounts tied to occupied lots.
Councilmember Kevin moved approval of the write-off; Scott Taylor seconded and the council recorded aye votes and the motion carried.
Staff said it will place a note on affected property accounts so the assessment is collected at building-permit application for undeveloped lots and will update records to prevent recurrence.
