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Council certifies unpaid utilities to county for tax certification after hearing
Summary
Following a public hearing and staff explanation of outreach and payment-plan options, the council approved two resolutions certifying unpaid utilities for collection in Wright and Hennepin counties; staff emphasized available payment plans and a certification deadline in mid-November.
The council opened a public hearing on two resolutions (67 and 68) to certify unpaid utility accounts for collection through Wright and Hennepin counties. Staff explained the city’s outreach practices (multiple notices, phone calls, letters) and said payment plans of 6–12 months are available and that customers on an active plan are not on the delinquent list.
Staff described penalties and the certification process: a 15% penalty is applied to unpaid balances (comprised of a 10% foregone-interest charge and a 5% additional penalty), and accounts can be removed from the certification if customers set up payment plans or pay before the certification deadline (staff cited mid-November as the latest typical deadline). A council member asked about situations such as rentals or protected "safe at home" addresses; staff said the list contains both residential and some business accounts and that sensitive addresses may be withheld for safety reasons.
No public speakers appeared for the hearing. After closing the hearing, the council voted to approve the two resolutions to certify the delinquent utilities for county collection; the motion carried 4–0.
