Council approves process to return or report closed-account credits; requires separate resolutions

Auditor Maria Kolling informed the council she found closed utility billing accounts with remaining credit balances, some closed for more than five years. North Dakota Unclaimed Property requirements obligate the city to attempt to return funds to the account owner before reporting them to the State. The council approved Resolution 2026-07 on a motion by Bill O’Connor, seconded by Niki Larson; the minutes note motion carried. Maria will issue refund checks to last-known addresses and monitor whether any are returned as undeliverable before reporting to the State.

Council Member Dannielle Parkin asked whether a blanket resolution could be used for multiple accounts; City Attorney Christina Wenko clarified that a separate resolution must be passed each time unclaimed property is reported. The minutes record a later related discussion identifying five closed accounts with outstanding balances (including accounts closed more than ten years) and a recommendation that Christina’s office send collection letters to last-known addresses before considering write-off; Christina said interns could do the letters at lower cost.