§ 53.138 DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS.
   (A)   Delinquent bills; penalties. A bill shall be considered delinquent if not paid by the end of the day on the billing due date. At that time the city shall require the delinquent owner or occupant to pay a penalty in addition to the original bill. The penalty shall be assessed on the first business day subsequent to the billing due date, calculated at the greater of 5% of the original bill or $1. If delinquent bills are not paid they may be deemed delinquent and may be placed, together with penalties as provided by statute, on the next year’s tax roll and be collected as other taxes are collected. Change of ownership or occupancy of premises found delinquent shall not be cause for reducing or eliminating these penalties.
   (B)   Responsibility of owner. Payment of charges and penalties is the ultimate responsibility of the property owner. The city reserves the right to trace the delinquent bill or penalty to the new address of the delinquent occupant.
   (C)   Additional penalties. In addition to the above listed penalties, the city may impose any and all of the penalties outlined in § 1.18 of the City Policy Handbook if a storm water utility account is found to be delinquent.
   (D)   Assessment of delinquent accounts. Delinquent accounts may be certified by the City Council to the County Auditor for collection with the next years taxes as provided for by M.S. § 444.075, as it may be amended from time to time. Before making the certification, a delinquent account holder must be notified by first class mail of the delinquency and the date the holder may appear before the City Council to state any reason why the certification should not be made.
(2004 Code, § 53.128) (Ord. 01-289, passed 1-23-2001)