ERMUSR MISC 02-14-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

i M Loagra o~M;nnaiada Citwi Cibw p,omoting weoa//unaa league of Minnesota Cities 145 University Avenue West, St. Paul, MN 55103-2044 (651) 281-1200 (800) 925-1122 Fax: (651) 281-1299 • TDD: (651) 281-1290 wwnv.lmnc.org January 27, 2006 TO: Cities in Senate District 16/House District 16B FROM: Ann Higgins, Intergovernmental Relations Representative RE: ACTION ALERT -Threat to city authority to certify tenants delinquent water and sewer charges to landlord or property owner for collection with property taxes The League needs your immediate help. On Monday, January 30, a working group will meet for the first time. The 'OS legislative session established the working group to examine allegations that cities should not be allowed to certify tenants' delinquent utility charges to landlords or property owners. The working group must report findings and recommendations to the legislature in 2006. Please contact me immediately if your city has received inquiries about this issue by anyone other than LMC. Read more about these concerns at the end of this Action Alert. Representative Olson and Senator Wergin -who are both on this working group - authored identical ("companion") bills (HF 1367/SF1009) during the 'OS legislative session that would have taken away cities' authority to certify tenants' delinquent water and sewer utility charges to the landlord or property owner. (As you know, the certified delinquent charges go to the county to be collected with property taxes.) These bills did not go forward because LMC and member cities told legislators how important it is to be able to collect tenants' delinquent utility charges from landlords or property owners through the certification process. The legislators on the working group are: Senator Wergin, Representative Olson, Representative Bill Hilty and Senator Wes Skoglund. Two people in the working group represent AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER