The East Bethel City Council on Nov. 10 approved Resolution No. 2025-59 to certify delinquent utility charges for collection with 2026 property taxes. City staff told the council the step uses the city's code (cited during the hearing as "chapter 74, section 704-1126") and asked that the final list of properties be provided to the county auditor by Nov. 30, 2025.

City staff described the collection process and its statutory basis, saying the hearing opened the public's opportunity to object before the city finalizes properties for assessment. "This evening would be the public's opportunity to speak to these charges and if they have objections to air those this evening," staff said.

Council members pressed staff on a recurring pattern: "Why are the majority up at Whispering Aspen? It's like every year we come here, we got the same thing," said a councilmember. Staff said the delinquencies appear usage-based and noted higher upfront system costs and eventual replacement obligations as drivers of household bills. "If you leave, for example, a toilet running...you would be amazed at the amount of water that gets wasted," staff said, describing usage and replacement costs as factors.

After discussion the council moved and approved the resolution. The council record shows the motion was seconded and the resolution approved with no recorded opposing votes. The council set the administrative deadline to submit the certified list of properties to the county auditor by 2025-11-30.

What happens next: Property owners on the final list may receive notice and have the opportunity to raise objections under the city's code before assessment with 2026 property taxes.