Item 7.1: Assessment of Delinquent
Sewer Service Charges as
Liens on Parcels and Placement on
Property Tax Bills
C I T Y C O U N C I L P U B L I C H E A R I N G
D E C E M B E R5 , 2 0 2 3
J I M M Y VA S Q U E Z , R E V E N U E M A N A G E R , F I N A N C E D E PA R T M E N T
S A R A H S C H O E N , F I N A N C E D I R E C TO R
Sewer Service Background
Per CVMC Section 13.14.110, the owner or occupant of any parcel which is connected to the City’s sewer system shall pay the required fees for sewer services.
CVMC Section 13.14.150 outlines payment obligations, billing cycles, proper noticing, penalties for delinquency and the lien process.
Lien Process
Regular bills, late notices, penalty assessments and public hearing publication have been carried out per CVMC Section 13.14.150.
Staff is submitting to City Council, a lien list containing 189 sewer accounts valued at $62,840.
Our comprehensive approach is highlighted by the following:
◦ Several touchpoints and thorough noticing to customers ◦ Dedicated customer support and payment support
◦ Third-party parcel and account validation
◦ Legal review of noticing and communication
◦ Translated notices
◦ Payment plan options
Lien Process Timeline
Customer Service Impact
Many accounts have been resolved or granted payment plans since initial late notices were sent and staff will continue to assist and remove accounts from the lien list through 12/5/23.
Successful resolution of lien-eligible accounts included in this cycle:
o 58 lien-eligible accounts valued at $93K were placed on payment plans o $544K in AR has been paid since initial Past Due Notice was sent on 8/23/23 o $374K in previously applied grant money for lien-eligible accounts o $270K in previously written-off receivables for lien-eligible accounts Of the City’s 15,000 directly-billed sewer accounts; 2,118 accounts (14.12%) were sent an initial Past Due Notice on 8/23/23. 189 accounts (1.26%) remain on the lien list today.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends City Council conduct the public hearing and adopt a resolution assessing certain delinquent sewer service charges as recorded liens upon the respective parcels of land and placement of those charges on the next regular property tax bill for collection by the County Treasurer-Tax Collector.