Administration - Joe Huss, Finance Director/Asst. City Manager
Title
Title
Certify 2021 Delinquent Utility Accounts and Invoices to Anoka County
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Executive Summary
The Council annually certifies delinquent utilities and unpaid invoices for mowing, false alarms, and meter repairs to Anoka County for collection with the following year’s property taxes.
Background
Notice has been sent to all affected property owners regarding their respective delinquent bills. If payment is not received before the deadline for remittance to the county, the attached resolution authorizes staff to certify the amount due to the Anoka County Auditor for collection with 2022 property taxes.
The amount to be certified for collection is $423,871.22; $416,589.56 is for delinquent utilities and $7,281.66 is for other invoices. The certifications represent 668 properties, 654 with utility certifications, five of which also have delinquent invoices other than utility bills, and 14 properties with delinquent invoices only. The amount to be certified is about $15,000 more than the $408,738.75 that was initially authorized in 2020. Amounts certified in previous years are as follows: $449,337.06 in 2019; $451,443.17 in 2018; $392,787.93 in 2017; $350,340.49 in 2016; $546,169.04 in 2015; $535,937.12 in 2014; $538,126.43 in 2013; $594,954.47 in 2012; $554,735.52 in 2011; $545,176.51 in 2010; $531,238.38 in 2009. The amount to be certified reflects less than 3% of the total revenues of the City’s utility funds. Revenues include billings, interest earned, various grants, where billings make up the vast majority of revenues.
Strategic Plan Relationship
The collection of delinquent utility bills and invoices provides needed revenue to maintain the City’s utility funds and supports the financial sustainability of the City.
Board/Commission Review
N/A
Financial Impact
Delinquent utilities certified to the county for collection represent roughly 2.5% of annual billings. Nearly 85% of delinquent accounts are collected the following year and nearly 100% are collected within three years of certification.
Public Outreach/Input
None required
Staff Recommendation
Adopt the following resolution certifying delinquent utilities and unpaid invoices.
Attachment List
Delinquent accounts to be certified for collection in 2022
Body
WHEREAS, the records of the Public Utilities Billing Department lists certain accounts as delinquent; and
WHEREAS, other records of the city list certain invoices for services as delinquent; and
WHEREAS, pertinent Minnesota Statutes authorize certification of the delinquent accounts to the County tax rolls for collection.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Blaine that the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to certify to the County Auditor the amount of these delinquent accounts, together with a legal description of the premises served, as set forth in the attached document.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Blaine that the County Auditor is hereby requested to record the attached delinquent accounts as part of the tax levy on the premises served to be collected during the ensuing year:
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 15th day of November, 2021.