Committee asks LPD to seek state review of delinquent-tax fees after resident complaints

The Budget Finance Audit Standing Committee moved on March 11 to combine two agenda items about delinquent-tax interest and fees and to ask the legislative policy division to draft a resolution asking the state to review and consider reducing those fees.

The action came after public comment from residents, including Carol Hughes, who asked what proposed changes to delinquent-tax interest rates and fees mean for homeowners and whether requested debt related to DPS refers to a different entity. Betty A. Varner, president of the DeSoto Ellsworth Black Association, urged the council to allocate budget funds for walk-in showers for seniors and people with disabilities, saying some residents had been on a waiting list for three years.

Vice Chair Leticia Johnson framed the committee action during unfinished business. "This was the beginning of advocating for a reduction in the fees," she said, noting that state law governs the statutory fee structure and that the committee would send a memo to the Legislative Policy Division asking the state to review the fees and consider reductions.

With no objections, the committee combined items 5.1 and 6.4, moved to receive and file those items, and instructed staff to pursue the legislative memo and resolution. The committee recorded no roll-call votes for the motions; actions were approved by voice as recorded on the meeting transcript.

Committee members also flagged alternatives to shifting costs to homeowners and suggested reviewing other city and external revenue sources before increasing charges for residents. Several members said they had noted constituents' concerns and that the committee would follow up via staff and through contact with state-level authorities as the resolution is drafted.