HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/18/2003 - STAFF REPORTS (25) AV
DATE: June 18, 2003
TO: City Council
FROM: Director of Finance and Treasurer
SEWER SERVICE CHARGES — FISCAL YEAR 2003-04
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that Council, after conducting a public hearing on this matter, adopt a
resolution electing to have sewer service charges for the fiscal year ending June 30,
2004, collected on the Riverside County property tax rolls, in accordance with the terms
and conditions of Ordinance No. 1111. The purpose of this action is to provide a more
efficient means of collecting sewer service charges.
SUMMARY:
The Sewer Service Charges (currently $124.32 per year for a single family residence)
will be placed on the property tax roll. The County will collect the charges along with the
property tax payments and remit the charges to the City.
BACKGROUND:
The majority of the City's sewer service accounts were first moved to the County's tax
rolls in fiscal year 1981-82. Prior to that year, each account was billed, and the payment
processed, individually with the cost being absorbed by the City. The current system is
a much more efficient method of collecting these fees, and has greatly reduced the
paperwork formerly associated with their collection. Most of the costs associated with the
billing of sewer service charges have been eliminated by transferring the collection effort
to the County. The problem of uncollectible accounts has also been significantly
reduced.
The procedure for placing these fees on the tax rolls requires that a public hearing be
held on the matter. A list of all properties that are affected is on file in the Finance
Department. Upon adoption of a resolution authorizing this manner of collection, the
City will provide the necessary information to the County Auditor-Controller.
The sewer service charge is not a tax, but a user fee. These fees pay for the operation
and maintenance of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Collection of the fees on the tax
rolls is much simpler for the City, and generally, for the user as well.
APPROVED:
�r
David H. Ready Thomas M Kanarr
City Manager Director of Finance and Treasurer
Attachment: 1. Resolution cA3 A
PROOF OF PUBLICATION This r5 space for County Clerk's Fmne Stamp
(2015.5.C.C.P)
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
County of Riverside
---------------------------------------------
I am a citizen of the United Slates and a resident of Proof of Publication of
the County aforesaid; I am over the age of eighteen ----------------------------------------------
years,and not a party to or interested in the - - -
above-entitled matter.I am the principal clerk of a No.4664 CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
printer of the,DESERT SUN PUBLISH NOTICE HEARING
RE: PROPOSED PLALA CEMENT OF SEWER
COMPANY a newspaper of general circulation, SERVICE CHARGES ON PROPERTY TAX
ROLLS
printed and published in the city of Palm Springs, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that,the City Count"
County of Riverside,and Which newspaper has been of the City of Palm Springs wtll hold a public
adjudged a newspaper of general circulation by the hearing on Wednesday, June 18, 2o03, at 7:00
p,M„ or as soon thereafter as the matt3Z0Qay ast
Superior Court of the Count of Riverside State of heard, in the city council chamber, California.
P y ' TahGLlltZ Canyon Way, Palm Springs,
California under the date Of March 24,19$$.Case The purpose of said .hearing is to determine
Number 191236;that the notice,of which thellsthe ether sey r servicef-h Fig shall be placed
on
annexed is a printed copy(set in type not smaller since FiscalsYeare bell 1981 82 line order to d in treducenthe
than non pariel,has been published in each regular administrative costs of collection.
All Interested persons are Invited to attend said
and entire 155ne Of said newspaper and not In any hearing, and all persons who would be affected
thereby shall have the righdt to all appearobjecti -1 they
Supplement thereof on the following dates,to wit: may haven to the method of collection of such
charges.additiona info contact Thomas
For any l ctcar, 3200 East Tahgwtz
M. Kanarr, Finance Directors, California 92 62;
June 4°i Canyyon Way, Palm Spring
-------- (760)323-8229.
---- --_----
---`---------------- - Patricia Sanders
City Clerk
---------—---------------—---—--------—------------------- PUB: June 4, 2003 _
All in the year 2003
I certify(or declare) under penalty of perjury that the
foregoing is true and correct.
G10
Dated at Palm Springs,California this--------day
June
of------------------------- 2003
-----__`_^��'�t�L[-Qom---------=----------------
Signature
RESOLUTION NO.
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING SEWER SERVICE CHARGE
BILLING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
WHEREAS sewer service charge rates are established by resolution of the City Council
pursuant to Section 15.24.020 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS sewer service charge billing policies and procedures and sewer billing cycles
are established pursuant to Resolution 11123 of the City of Palm Springs; and
WHEREAS a sewer service charge billing policies and procedures study was made by
the Department of Finance; and
WHEREAS said study concluded with recommendations to City Council that, in the best
interest of the users and the City of Palm Springs, the collection of sewer service
charges be made a part of the assessments as authorized by Health and Safety Code
Sections 5473, et seq; and
WHEREAS the City Council has held a public hearing on the placement of sewer service
charges on the Property tax rolls for Fiscal Year 2003-04.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm Springs
as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby finds that the collection of the sewer service
charges on the tax roll in the same manner, at the same time and subject
to the same penalties as general taxes, is in the best interest of the users
and the City of Palm Springs,
Section 2. The laws applicable to the levy, collection and enforcement of general
taxes (including but not limited to delinquency, correction, cancellation,
refund and redemption) are applicable to such charges, except that if any
real property to which such charges relate has been transferred or
conveyed to a bona fide purchaser for value, or if a lien of a bona fide
encumbrancer for value has been created and attaches thereof, prior to
the date on which the first installment of such taxes would become
delinquent, then the lien which would otherwise be imposed shall not
attach to such real property and the charges relating to such property
shall be transferred to the unsecured tax roll of collection.
a3QWOOO
Resolution No.
Page 2
Section 3. That the Council has caused to be prepared an itemized written report
and bill for each separate parcel of real property receiving sewer services
which report is on file in the office of the Treasurer and by this reference
is made a part hereof as though fully set forth herein.
Section 4. That the City Council does hereby adopt the written report of sewer
service charges itemized for each separate parcel of land.
Section 5. That the cost of sewer service for each parcel of real property as set out
in the report shall be a lien on such parcel of land, in accordance with the
provisions of this resolution, Health & Safety Code Section 5473.8, and
Section 15.24.020 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code.
Section 6. That certified copies of this resolution, together with said report and bill
attached thereto, shall be delivered to the Riverside County Auditor-
Controller on or before August 11, 2003, and shall be made a part of the
tax rolls, all in accordance with Section 5473 et seq. of the California
Health & Safety Code and other provisions of the law applicable thereto
ADOPTED THIS day of 12003
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ATTEST: CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
By:
City Clerk City Manager
REVIEWED &APPROVED as to form