Unadilla — UNADILLA — For some time now an ever growing issue here has been concerning customers who owe delinquent property taxes. During their regular meeting Tuesday night, City Admistrateor Perry Ivie informed council members that he had spoken with other agencies in an effort come up with a game plan for collecting Unadilla’s back property taxes.

Unadila’s delinquent taxes have been a brewing problem for many years. Ivie says that currently there are about 175 cases of delinquent property taxes that stretch from 2009, seven years back to 2002. Ivie said that normally a person is given 90 days to pay their taxes, after which time the account is past due. He recommended to council that they seek the services of CBV collection agency in Cordele in order to make one final attempt to collect taxes before filing a FIFA in the court system.

Councilman Clint Shugart spoke up questioning the payment that would have to be made to the collection agency for their services which is 28% of what they collect from the individual. Both Shugart and Councilman Greg Speight expressed concern over the city losing 28% on each case and asked if the amount of the fee could be added on to that. Ivie attempted to explain that interest only could be added to the account that they could not add in those types of fees.

He explained to council that if the collection agency did not manage to collect the funds then he would take the matter to the court himself and file the FIFA because the charge is only $12 per case and if the collection agency files the FIFA then they collect 40%. Ivie spent much time back and forth explaining the amount of leg work that he had done and informed council that they would not be locked into any contract with the collection agency.

He assured council members that citizens were receiving every opportunity to pay their taxes and that he wanted to get the city where they should be on collecting that money. Ivie told council members that the change would be implented as soon as possible if they passed the motion. Council voted and approved the motion, giving Ivie the go ahead.

There was some argument amongst members over a 1999 contract to pave three roads in Unadilla; Tyler Rd., Travis Rd. and Brannen Rd. Speight questioned why there was a need to pave Brannen Rd. since it served no real purpose. He inquired as to why the road could not be removed from the contract.

Voices became raised as council members argued the issue. Mayor West finally decreed that the original contract could not be messed with or it would kill the entire contract because all three of the roads were one deal. He went on to further say that if they opportunity did arise it would be a matter for the entire council.

Council members received four bids on the ditch cleaning in the Railroad Street/Christian Way area. Due to the way the companies bid the project council asked Ivie to be more specific in exactly what they wanted to be done so that the bids would be consistent all around.

Councilwoman Meredith Lester questioned why the council was accepting such bids while under contract with the ESG. Ivie explained that the area is a major drain, almost a creek, and that the reason to bring in the outside help is that the ESG was not equipped for that particular job because it had gone unattended for so long. He said once someone came in and cleared it, ESG will be able to keep up the maintenance.

Also during the meeting;

• Council members voted to reappoint Ruth Cross to the Blackshear Library Board.

• Councilman John Offenberg gave a brief update on the tennis court grants.

• Council members asked Ivie to obtain bids for a sound system for city hall. The new system will allow council members to be heard over the air conditioning and will also be portable to be used during city sponsored events.

The next meeting of the Unadilla City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.