Council accepts special assessments for unpaid services after public hearing; one payment removed

The Marshall City Council held a public hearing on special assessments for unpaid city services and adopted a resolution accepting the assessments with one property removed from certification after staff said it had paid.

City Clerk Steven Anderson explained that assessments on the list included mowing, nuisance removal and unpaid fire service calls. He told the council that the property on North Sixth Street had paid and should be removed. Anderson also pointed out that several fire calls on the listing were for properties outside Marshall city limits; he said that under existing fire contracts with Fairview and Sodus Township the city is authorized to assess on their behalf to the county, which is why out‑of‑city properties appeared on the assessment list.

Council members questioned service boundaries and mutual aid. One council member asked how responsibility is determined when calls occur near the city boundary and whether the first responder or jurisdiction collects fees. City staff said that mutual aid arrangements complicate collections and that some situations are hypothetical and would require separate review. Fire Chief Brunsold was present for technical questions.

After hearing no public comment, the council closed the hearing, removed the paid North Sixth Street property from certification and adopted the resolution accepting the remaining assessments.

Ending: Staff will certify the assessments (with the noted removal) and coordinate with the county as required by existing fire contracts.