Board waives one bulk-item charge, upholds two others after resident appeals

The Portage City Board of Works voted to grant a resident’s appeal of a $40 bulk-item charge for 2299 Deerview and to uphold similar $40 charges for properties at 6317 Defiance and 3027 Edith.

Randy, a city staff member presiding over the bulk-item appeals, introduced the homeowner for 2299 Deerview. The resident, who identified themself as a disabled veteran and a Portage resident for about a year and a half, said the bulk item was a bicycle purchased for his daughter and that he had been unaware of a change in the city’s bulk-item procedures. The resident said the bicycle cost close to $100 and apologized for not following the updated procedures. The board moved to grant the $40 appeal and approved it by voice vote.

For 6317 Defiance, no one appeared; staff recommended upholding the $40 charge and the board voted to uphold it. For 3027 Edith, staff reported the items were placed on May 1 and recommended upholding that $40 charge; the board voted to uphold it.

The transcript does not contain the full text of the bulk-item policy, the date the procedures changed, or whether notices were sent to affected residents. The board’s actions were recorded by motion and voice vote.