Martins Ferry Council approves emergency ordinance to place unpaid utility bills on county tax duplicate

Martins Ferry City Council declared an emergency and approved an ordinance Dec. 3 allowing unpaid utility bills to be levied as assessments and certified to the Belmont County auditor.

Madam President said the ordinance would let the city place unpaid utility accounts onto the county tax duplicate; Missus Armstrong moved to suspend the 72-hour notice rule so the city could consider the measure immediately. Council then voted to suspend the three-reading requirement and, after a motion to pass the ordinance "as read," adopted the measure by roll call.

The ordinance was read aloud in council and authorized the service director to certify assessments. The council recorded affirmative roll-call votes from Mister Eshman, Missus Armstrong, Mister Rogers, Miss Yezo, Reverend Agnew, Mister Schramm, Mister Hunker and others present; the ordinance was declared passed as an emergency.

Why it matters: The change lets the city pursue collection of unpaid utility accounts through the tax process, which can accelerate recovery of delinquent amounts but also places unpaid charges on property tax bills.

Council did not identify an implementation date during the meeting; the service director is authorized to certify the assessments to the county auditor. The council did not discuss specific thresholds or a grace period for customers during the session.

The council moved on to other business after adoption; no amendments to the assessment procedure were offered at the meeting, and the ordinance was read and passed during the same session.