Starbuck Mayor Milo Holte said the city is not suppose to put bills for such things as water on the tax rolls. In addition, he said part of the problem over the past few years is the city has been acting like a bank for residents by essentially fronting money for residents and having that amount put on the tax roll. The backdated bills are then assessed to the tax roll with interest, and paid off in a similar fashion as a loan.

Holte suggested using the city policy already in place for water bills, which says after 60 days water service will be shut off to the residence.

Councilman Tom Goracke said that sounded like a good idea and thought the council should press forward with collecting the backdue water bills.

“I think we need to pursue that and get the money, we already took the first step of reading them,” he said.

By not taking action on collecting the backdue water bills, Councilman Jamie Logan said the council would in fact be penalizing those who have paid the correct amount and have been reading the meters all along.

Citing past policy, Holte said residents should get two months to pay the backdue amount and, “after that your water will be turned off,” which he said is “pretty much standard procedure at this point.”
While Jacobson said he wasn’t sure if the city could shut off the water due to the cold winter rule, he said he would look into it.

Holte said in the past, he understood water could be shut off for unpaid water bills unless the house is heated with hot water.

While the council will request payment of the backdated amount within 60 days, those with excessively high amounts due, will have the opportunity to work out a payment plan.

Rental ordinance

Jacobson also informed the council he was aware of three instances of noncompliance of the Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance.

The assistant city attorney told the council it could take one of three actions against those in noncompliance: take legal action, seek an injunctive relief, or simply do nothing. Though he said the city would be within their right to take legal action, he cautioned the council that by taking the matter to court it could cost the city additional money.

However, local landowner Michael Dinsmore questioned if he was in fact in violation of the ordinance. He said the way his attorney interpreted the ordinance he is in compliance because he has a multi-family home with three units in the commercial district, which he said is allowed under the ordinance.

While Jacobson said the ordinance was legal, others in the audience said the demand for commercial rental properties is minimal in Starbuck and isn’t like it had been decades ago.

After being asked by Councilman Jim Johnson what those in attendance thought the council should do with those deemed to be in violation of the ordinance, many in the audience expressed hesitation by spending any money taking the matter to court

Councilman Tom Goracke thanked the input of those in attendance and said the council should table the issue.

“Let’s look at it, we’re not bad people,” he said. “If something needs to be done, let’s look at it.”

The council tabled the issue and will readdress it when the new city council takes office in January.

Rates raised

Rates at Hobo Park were also raised on Dec. 8. The city council raised rates at the marina and park by 30 percent.

Seasonal rates were increased from $1,5000 to approximately $2,000 annually. Daily hookups (with water, sewer, and metered electricity) went up from $33 a day to $50.

Marina fees for boat slips were also increased by 30 percent over last season.