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 IC H E A R I N G
J U N E 3, 2 0 2 5
J I MM Y VA SQ U E Z , R E V E N U E M A N A G E R , F I N A N C E DE PA R T ME N T
A D R I A N D E L R I O, A S SI STA N T D IR E C T OR , F I N A N C E
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.
Collections & Lien Process
CVMC Section 13.14.150 outlines payment obligations, billing cycles, proper noticing, penalties for delinquency and the lien process.
Our comprehensive approach is highlighted by the following:
◦ Several touchpoints and thorough noticing to customers ◦ Dedicated customer support
◦ Third-party validation of parcel and account data
◦ Legal review of noticing and communication
◦ Translated notices
◦ Payment plan options and grant programs
◦ Collection timeline spanning over 90 days in delinquent status
Lien Process Timeline
SERVICE
PERIODS
A. Jul - Aug ‘24
B. Sep - Oct ’24
C. Nov - Dec ’24
FIRST
PAST-DUE
NOTICE
A. 10/23/24
B. 12/11/24
C. 2/12/25
SECOND
PAST-DUE
NOTICE
A. 11/20/24
B. 1/8/25
C. 3/12/25
FINAL
PAST-DUE
NOTICE
A. 12/23/24
B. 2/10/25
C. 4/14/25
PUBLIC
HEARING
NOTICE
MAILED
• May 21
2025
PUBLIC
HEARING
NOTICE
PUBLISHED
• May 23 ‘25
PUBLIC
HEARING
• Jun 3 ‘25
LAST DA Y
TO ACCEPT
PA YMENTS
• Jun 5 ‘25
RECORD
LIEN
• Jun 6 ‘25
PLACEMENT
ON TAX
ROLL
•Aug 8 ‘25
Accounts are billed in three distinct cycles to
align with Sweetwater Authority’s water bills.
Customer Service and Program Impact
Successful resolution of lien-eligible accounts in this cycle:
o 21 payment plans valued at $17,397 were created for accounts subject to this lien cycle o $356K in previously applied debt-relief grant money for lien-eligible accounts, Extended Wastewater Arrearages Program
Of the City’s 15,000 directly-billed sewer accounts; 1,333 sewer accounts were sent a Final Past Due Notice for bills issued October 2024 through February 2025. o 255 accounts are submitted to the Public Hearing.
For accounts placed on the County tax roll in August 2024, the County has successfully collected $74,846 of $84,922 in delinquent sewer charges.
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.