(A) Authority. This section is adopted pursuant to M.S. §§ 415.01, 366.011 and 366.012, as they may be amended from time to time, and § 8.06 of the City Charter.
(B) Charges for emergency services; collection. The city may impose a reasonable service charge for emergency services, including fire, rescue, medical and related services provided by the city or contracted for by the city. If the service charge remains unpaid 30 days after a notice of delinquency is sent to the recipient of the service or the recipient’s representative or estate, the city or its contractor on behalf of the city may use any lawful means allowed to a private party for the collection of an unsecured delinquent debt. The city may also use the authority of division (C) below, to collect unpaid service charges of this kind from delinquent recipients of services who are owners of taxable real property in the city, or areas served by the city for emergency services.
(C) Collection of unpaid service charges and fees. If the city is authorized to impose a service charge or fee on the owner, lessee or occupant of property, or any of them, for a governmental service provided by the city, the city may certify to the County Auditor, on or before October 15 for each year, any unpaid service charges or fees which shall then be collected together with property taxes levied against the property. A charge or fee may be certified to the Auditor only if, on or before September 15, the city has given written notice to the property owner of its intention to certify the charge or fee to the Auditor. The service charges or fees shall be subject to the same penalties, interest and other conditions provided for the collection of property taxes. This section is in addition to any other law authorizing the collection of unpaid costs and service charges or fees.
(D) Collection of unpaid administrative offense penalties and charges. Subject to the requirements set forth herein, the city may certify to the County Auditor, on or before November 15 of each year, any unpaid fees, penalties and charges for an administrative offense as defined in § 130.002 of this code of ordinances which shall then be collected together with property taxes levied against the property. Prior to the certification, the city must attempt to obtain voluntary payment of the fees, penalties and charges and allow the property owner the opportunity to request certification to the property taxes as a method of payment. A fee, penalty or charge may be certified to the Auditor only if, at least 30 days prior to imposing the certification, the city has given written notice to the property owner listed on the official tax records of its intention to certify the penalty or charge to the Auditor. Property owners notified by the city for the purpose stated herein have the right to request a hearing before the City Council or a neutral third party. Only fees, penalties and charges directly related to the property being assessed may be assessed through the manner set forth in this section. The fees, penalties and charges will be assessed as published in the fee schedule of the city. This section is in addition to any other law authorizing the collection of unpaid fees, penalties and charges.
(E) Powers. The powers conferred by this section are in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred by any other law for a city to impose a service charge or assessment for a service provided by the city or contracted for by the city.
(Prior Code, § 202.20) (Ord. 822, passed 07-02-2009)