HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/02/2021 09 Overdue Accounts and Uncollectible Debt; Discussion on Possible Study SessionB US INE S S O F T HE C I T Y C O UNC IL
YAK I M A, WAS HI NG T O N
AG E ND A S TAT E M E NT
I tem No. 9.
F or Meeting of : March 2, 2021
I T E M T IT L E :Discussion of a possible study session regarding data collection on
overdue accounts and uncollectible debt
S UB M IT T E D B Y:S teve Groom, Director of F inance and B udget
J ames Dean, Utilities S ervices Division Manager
Glenn Denman, C ode Administration Manager
Tony Doan, S upervising Code I nspector
S UM M ARY E X P L ANAT IO N:
This agenda item is for C ity C ouncil to consider a study session on the data collection on
overdue accounts and uncollectible debt - animal control, parking citations, and property
maintenance violations. S taff has prepared some background information in the attached memo.
I T E M B UD G E T E D:NA
S T RAT E G I C P RIO RIT Y:Public Trust and A ccountability
AP P RO V E D F O R S UB M I T TAL B Y T HE C IT Y M ANAG E R
RE C O M M E ND AT IO N:
AT TAC HM E NT S:
D escr iption Upload D ate Type
Support Memo 2/25/2021 Cover Memo
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FINANCE
TO: City Council
COPY: Bob Harrison, City Manager
FROM: Steve Groom, Finance Director
James Dean, Utilities Services Division Manager
Glenn Denman, Code Administration Manager
Tony Doan, Supervising Code Inspector
DATE: February 25, 2021
RE: Council Motion Regarding Data Collection and Billing
At the February 16th Council Meeting a motion was made to discuss a possible study session
regarding data collection on overdue accounts and uncollectible debt for parking citations,
property maintenance, and animal control violations. This memo provides foundational
information for potential further council discussion.
Animal Licensing
For 2020 the fee amount billed for animal licensing was $22,500.75 and the payment amount was
$21,544.23. This includes amounts collected thru the Yakima Humane Society.
In 2021 the utilities office will issue approximately 1,900 renewal notices for animal licenses.
Animal license renewals range from a cost of $12.00 to $40.00 depending on if the animal is
spayed or neutered. There is a discount for animal licenses renewed prior to April 1st. After April
1st a previously-licensed animal is treated as a new license. There is no additional penalty or fines
assessed for not renewing an animal license.
Parking Enforcement
In 2020 a total of $41,340 was billed for 852 issued parking citations and $19,896 was collected
for 412 tickets. 87 citations were voided, 57 were appealed for a hearing, and 50 of the citations
issued were warnings. There were 192 citations paid online, on which the processing vendor
collects $3.00 per citation.
Code Compliance and Animal Control Citations
Code Compliance fines and fees are collected via liens certified through the County Assessor’s
office. The city has no direct participation in billing or collections for code compliance
assessments, unless the subject party decides to pay prior to certification of the lien.
Liens resulting from code compliance cases for 2020 total $18,074.87; $7,013.65 of which was
paid to the City of Yakima in 2020. The remaining $11,061.22 does not qualify as uncollectable
debt as these amounts are certified with the County Treasurer and will be collected through the
tax lien process.
In 2020, Animal Control Officers wrote citations for 25 separate cases. Collection of these fines
are handled by the City’s Legal Department and Municipal Court. Fines are either collected, or in
some cases, are administratively adjusted (reduced or waived) based on the merits of the case.
Any uncollectable debts would be pursued by the City of Yakima Municipal Court.
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