Title
Resolution to Assess Certain Delinquent Municipal Utility Charges as a Tax and Ordering Collection Thereof
Memorandum
This Resolution requests assessment of certain unpaid charges for municipal utility services to be due as a tax as identified in the attached Schedule A.
Chapter 29, Section 2:72 of the City's Code of Ordinances provides a mechanism for the City to collect unpaid charges that have remained unpaid for a period of six months as an assessment on the tax roll. Pursuant to this chapter, owners of affected properties identified in Schedule A will be notified by the City Clerk of the assessment by first class mail on October 5, 2021, and that the unpaid charges, plus a 10% penalty, will be placed on the December 2021 tax roll unless paid within 30 days.
This is the first-time unpaid charges are being levied since the State of Michigan's moratorium on water shut offs expired on March 31, 2021, resulting in a greater levies than is typical. The City is currently not performing water shut-offs for non-payment, we do not intend to implement any shut-offs in the immediate future, and we are exploring the creation of a no-shut-off policy for delinquent water collections.
For those customers who express difficulty in paying for service, Customer Service Staff provide appropriate resources to assist. These resources include referrals to the Barrier Buster Program; as well as, various payment plan options. In addition to individual referrals, payment assistance information is available on the city web-site and is included in past-due notifications. Barrier Busters receives donations from local foundations and municipalities, including the City of Ann Arbor. Based on current funding available and historical assistance usage, it is anticipated that there is funding available for those who qualify for assistance.
The total amount to be assessed for the December 2021 tax roll is $252,976.51 (unless paid within the time set forth in the notice to o...
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