Residents bearing delinquent utility accounts to the city of Sturgeon Lake have until November 15 to settle their debts before any unpaid amounts are levied with the state in a special assessment. The mandate was announced at the September 29 regular meeting after council adopted the assessment roll of about 40 property owners who owe the city nearly $71,800 in back payments.

“This is a standard procedure that all towns do,” said Mayor Tom Helfman.

Of those residents on the list, roughly 22 percent of the 180 utility customers, no one attended the public hearing portion of last week’s meeting that was intended for customers to explain reasons for having delinquent accounts. City clerk Elizabeth Cisar, however, expects the list “will drop like last year,” when the final roll included about 25 property owners in arrears.

Affected owners can avoid an additional $100 administrative fee if the amount in arrears in paid in full, or if a payment plan satisfactory to the city is made, before the November deadline. The final roll is certified later this year with the Pine County auditor for collection of overdue amounts plus interest through individual 2010 property taxes.

This is the third year council has adopted an assessment roll for delinquent accounts since enacting Ordinance No. 90 in September of 2006, which “empowers the city to levy an assessment for the collection of unpaid amounts.” Accounts are considered delinquent if they are both $200 or more in arrears and at least 60 days late.

Residents are encouraged to attend the next council meeting on October 27 at 6:30 pm at which the wellhead protection plan (WHPA) will be outlined by the area representative of the Minnesota Rural Water Association. The public water supply well and its management in the area will be discussed with information on wellhead protection and usage parameters and boundaries of the water supply, depending on where property or future businesses are situated from the well.

The WHPA report, information that is mandated for every water source in the state, is a “preventive measure to protect our water source and prevent any contamination,” said Cisar.