The Shasta County Board of Supervisors on July 22 adopted a resolution (item R4) after a public hearing to place liens on unpaid community service area (CSA) water and sewer debts, discharge uncollectible debts and apply annual parcel charges. The resolution passed unanimously, 5-0.

Public Works Director Troy Bartlett described the three-part action: (1) placing liens on accounts delinquent more than 60 days, (2) discharging debts deemed uncollectible after collection attempts, and (3) applying parcel charges for CSA water and sewer improvements to property tax rolls. Bartlett said the county makes a “last effort” to contact customers before bringing debts to the board for lien consideration.

Supervisor Kelsinger raised questions about notice and cited an example where an escrow company received a notice and did not pay a charge; Bartlett said the county’s billing appears in the utility bill and that collection depends on the accuracy of the last provided account information, with staff making additional contact attempts. Treasurer/Tax collector staff explained the county’s participation in the Teeter plan, under which the county advances delinquent tax and assessment revenue to special districts and later recovers the funds from collections, penalties and interest.

Supervisor Plummer asked about rising delinquent-fee totals over the past years; Bartlett said the trend roughly reflects economic conditions and rising costs, and staff had not identified a single specific cause for the increase. The board voted to adopt the resolution; staff may proceed with lien placements and discharge of uncollectible debts in accordance with the adopted resolution.