Committee supports ordinance allowing alternate methods to serve lien notices for refuse and stormwater fees

The Administration and Finance Committee voted June 23 to forward to full council an ordinance amending Huntington's codified ordinances to permit alternate methods of service for lien notices related to municipal refuse and stormwater fees, and to acknowledge a 90-day notice period for stormwater matters.

Erica Hernandez, assistant city attorney, said the change adds statutory service methods beyond certified mail so the city can proceed when certified mail fails. "The ordinance before you will add flexibility to the service of lien notices for delinquent municipal refuse and stormwater fees," Hernandez said. She added that the change "also acknowledges the 90 day, notice period for stormwater, which the other 2 already had in their ordinances."

Under current city code, certified mail is the sole listed method for serving lien notices. The proposed amendment would allow the city to use the other service methods provided in state code when certified mail does not succeed, Hernandez said. The committee moved the ordinance to full council with a favorable recommendation; the motion was made by Miss Holly and seconded by Jason Arthur and approved by voice vote.

If adopted by council, the change will expand the procedural options available to the city for collecting delinquent municipal refuse and stormwater fees and align the stormwater provision with existing municipal code for other fees.