HomeMy WebLinkAboutCHAPTER 78CHAPTER 78. ASSESSMENT OF DELINQUENT CHARGES FOR ELECTRICAL SERVICE
Updated 2014 78-1
78. ASSESSMENT OF DELINQUENT CHARGES FOR ELECTRICAL SERVICE
78.01. Purpose The Public Utility Department provides electrical service to those
residences and businesses within the City which request it. Every year, some customers fail to
pay their bills and when collection efforts prove unsuccessful, those amounts must be written off
and covered by other customers. The City has already given the public utility department
authority to help collect delinquent sewer and water bills by assessing these amounts against the
properties served similar to a special assessment. This has resulted in fewer uncollectible bills
for sewer and water service, but electrical service constitutes the majority of the overall utility bills
for most customers. In order to minimize uncollectible bills for electrical service and therefore
reduce the amount that must be covered by other paying customers, the Council authorizes this
ordinance permitting delinquent electrical service bills to be assessed against the property
served.
78.02. Certification of Unpaid Charges . From time to time the Public Utility Department
shall certify to the City Clerk a list of unpaid accounts showing the names and addresses of all
unpaid electrical accounts. The Council shall certify the unpaid accounts against the property
receiving electrical service from the public utility department to the auditor for collection with taxes
under the procedure found in Section 72.11 of this Code. These certifications shall include
interest at a rate set by resolution of the City Council. The unpaid charges shall be a lien on the
affected properties as shown in the unpaid charges tabulation and shall be collected in the same
manner as other unpaid charges. The sum together with interest shall be credited to the electrical
fund. (3950, 1/4/10; 3995, 11/15/10)
78.03. Limitations Notwithstanding the authority contained in R.C.O. § 78.02, in light of
Minnesota Statutes § 325E.025, Subd. 2, the Public Utility Department shall not place a lien on a
landlord or owner's property for a tenant's outstanding electrical bill unless the owner or a
property manager, acting as the owner's agent, contracted for the utility service.
(3057, 9/16/96; 3950, 1/4/10; 3995, 11/15/10)