REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution to Cause Charges for Non-Payment of Delinquent Utility Charges to be placed on the FY 2016/17 County of Santa Clara Property Tax Roll
Report
BACKGROUND
The Sunnyvale Municipal Code requires that all properties receiving water service, from any provider, receive and be subject to charges for sewer and solid waste services with the exception of those properties utilizing a septic tank system which are exempt from the sewer service requirement. The provision of water service and the collection of sewer and solid waste from all occupied properties are essential to maintaining the health and safety of the community at large. Some of the properties receiving these services have been consistently delinquent. Attempts to collect these delinquent debts through the City's standard collection process have failed. The City of Sunnyvale Municipal Code authorizes the City to collect delinquent utility charges on the County of Santa Clara property tax roll.
Each year, the City holds a public hearing to provide the public an opportunity to comment regarding the proposed assessments for utility debts.
EXISTING POLICY
Sunnyvale Municipal Code Section 12.50.110 allows the City to cause delinquent charges for water, sewer or solid waste services to be collected on the property tax roll together with general taxes.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt from environmental review under CEQA Guidelines 15378(b)(4) and 15378(b)(5) because it is an administrative or fiscal activity that will not result in a direct or indirect physical change to the environment.
DISCUSSION
Each utility customer receives a regular bill for service. Utility customers with active water accounts receive a reminder notice, and then a final demand notice notifying them that failure to pay may result in water service interruption. Because the discontinuation of sewer service is both more difficult and would have an immediate and ...
Click here for full text