Council authorizes property liens for delinquent Waste Management accounts
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Summary
Following a public hearing, the Council authorized staff to place liens on properties with unpaid WM accounts and directed staff to release liens once payment verification is received; city staff advised it is not responsible for billing disputes with WM.
WOODLAND, Calif. — The Woodland City Council on July 15 authorized city staff to proceed with placing liens on properties with delinquent Waste Management accounts after a public hearing during which staff described the city’s administrative role.
Management analyst Marissa Kersey explained the process: the city will request Council approval to record liens for accounts that remain unpaid after WM collections and notice steps; the city’s role is administrative and the staff will release any lien once payment verification is provided. Kersey said staff worked with WM to verify the accuracy of the proposed list and that the list is available on request.
No members of the public provided sustained opposition during the hearing. The Council approved the recommended lien actions by a 5‑0 vote.
Why it matters: Liens are a typical municipal mechanism to recover utility and assessment debts but can carry long‑term implications for property owners. Kersey emphasized that billing disputes should be resolved directly with WM and staff can provide contact information to property owners who seek resolution before a lien is recorded.
Outcome: Motion to approve lien recordings carried 5‑0; staff will record liens as appropriate and release them once the debt is verified paid.