Downey approves list to place delinquent solid-waste charges on county tax roll; Athens reports delinquencies falling

Downey City Council on June 23 voted to adopt the annual resolution directing staff to file the cityreport listing parcels with delinquent solid-waste charges for placement on the Los Angeles County property tax roll.

Director Matt Baumgardner reviewed the background: the City Council previously adopted ordinance 25-1526 authorizing placement of accounts more than 90 days in arrears as of March 31 to the county’s special-assessment process; state law (Gov. Code section 38790.1) explicitly permits this mechanism to protect public health by preventing service interruptions that could create vector or sanitation hazards.

Athens Services accounts receivable manager Veronica Sanchez told the council that outreach and standard collection activity had already reduced the list: "As of this morning, the number has gone down to 504," she said, and reported the delinquent dollar total had fallen to about $275,000 from a previous near $350,000. Staff noted property owners have opportunities to resolve balances up to the county upload deadline (early August) and that Athens continues to work with property owners to settle accounts before they are placed on the tax roll.

Councilmembers asked about the residential/commercial split (Athens described it as approximately 70/30 residential) and how the program handles homeowners, HOAs and vulnerable residents; staff and Athens said they offer outreach and payment discussions and will include final lists a few days before the upload deadline. The council unanimously adopted the resolution directing the city clerk to file the annual report with the county assessor and to request placement as a special assessment.