Torrance council approves placing delinquent utility charges on county tax roll

Torrance City Council on July 13 unanimously approved three resolutions instructing the Los Angeles County Assessor to include delinquent solid-waste collection, sewer-discharge and water-usage fees as special assessments on the county tax roll.

Finance Department representative Joe Pham told the council the city has used the method since 2011 for solid-waste balances and expanded it in 2013 and 2022 to include sewer and water fees, citing Ordinances 3745, 3764 and 3906. Pham said the program has recovered roughly $771,590 over the past four years, a recovery rate the city estimates at about 97.5 percent.

"Item 9a is a recommendation of the finance director that your honorable body conduct a public hearing and adopt three resolutions authorizing and directing the Los Angeles County Assessor to place delinquent solid waste collection, sewer discharge, and water usage fees as a special assessment on the county assessor's roll," Pham said during the staff presentation.

Pham described outreach and notification procedures, saying property owners and service recipients were notified by letter that included balance details and hearing information. He also said residents who receive notice have until the city’s posted deadline to pay outstanding balances and can call the city's utility billing vendor to make payments by phone.

A single member of the public asked clarifying questions about how sewage-related fees affect residents; staff invited the commenter to meet with city personnel for further explanation. With no further testimony, the council closed the public hearing and a motion to adopt Resolutions 2026-71, 2026-72 and 2026-73 carried unanimously.

The adopted resolutions direct the county assessor to collect the specified delinquent fees "at the same time and in the same manner as county taxes," making future unpaid balances collectible through property tax bills. Staff noted the city will continue routine collection processes, including billing notices and late fees prior to any placement on the tax roll.

City staff said the program is a routine tool for local revenue recovery and that specific payment deadlines and vendor contact information were provided to affected property owners in the mailed notice. The council did not amend the staff recommendations and took no additional policy direction at the meeting.

The closed-captioned staff presentation and public hearing transcript are available from the city clerk’s office; the council’s action was unanimous.