Family disputes $6,868 sewer abatement charge; council refers assessment back to legislative hearing

Family members of the property owner at 777 Ohio Street testified that they dispute a $6,868 special tax assessment for an interior sewer abatement and provided documentation they said contradicts the city's billing and work description.

Jessica Klassen, who said the house was her mother's, told the council: "I respectfully dispute these charges because I have evidence showing the work being billed was not performed properly." Another family member, Adam Lynn, said he spoke with safety-inspections staff and said portions of the city bill describe digging that was not performed.

Legislative hearing officer Ms. Mormont reviewed the background on the interior abatement, noting the owner was in hospice and that the city had undertaken interior work so the resident could remain in the home. Because of conflicting evidence and missing testimony, the council voted to refer the item back to the legislative hearing process for additional fact-finding and set a legislative hearing for Oct. 6 and a council public hearing for Oct. 14.

The referral gives the legislative hearing officer the opportunity to obtain contractor records, contractor testimony and the additional plumbing evidence the family said it has supplied.