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<br />STAFF REPORT <br /> <br />DATE: December 3, 2024 <br />CONSENT <br /> <br />TO: Mayor and City Council <br />FROM: Clarissa Hadler, Finance Director <br />AGENDA ITEM: Authorize Certification of Delinquent Storm Water Bills & Utility Bills <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br /> <br />Property owners had until November 15, 2024 to make payment in full on their past due storm water bills <br />and past due utility bills. For those past due amounts that remain unpaid, the City of Lake Elmo has authority <br />under Minnesota State Statute 444.075, subdivision 3, to certify the delinquent balances. For those property <br />owners to be certified, the City prepares an assessment roll, and sends it to Washington County in <br />December. Upon receipt, Washington County will then certify the amount to the property owner as part of <br />their property taxes for payment in 2025. <br /> <br />ISSUE BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL: <br /> <br />1) Does the City Council approve of certifying delinquent storm water and delinquent utility amounts <br />to Washington County for payment on the 2025 property taxes? <br /> <br />PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: <br /> <br />The Storm Water and Utility Funds are enterprise funds that the City operates, and are therefore meant to <br />operate similar to a business enterprise. As such, utility rates are reviewed on a regular basis and are set <br />based on full and timely payments. The certification process is a tool that enables the City to receive <br />payment for those accounts that become delinquent. <br /> <br />FISCAL IMPACT: <br /> <br />As of November 25, 2024, the number of accounts that will be certified is 382 for a total of $120,130. <br />Note: The delinquent utility accounts list (Exhibit A) will likely decrease as the City will continue to collect <br />payments through December 15. Payments made after that date will be applied to the next regular utility <br />bill. The list is due to County on December 28th. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />If removed from consent agenda: <br />“Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 2024-124 authorizing certification of delinquent storm water and <br />utility bills to be sent to Washington County, MN, which will be assessed on property owner’s taxes <br />payable in 2025.” <br /> <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br /> <br />1) Resolution No. 2024-124 <br />2) Delinquent Utility Accounts – Exhibit A