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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — MARCH 9, 2026 13 City Administrator Jagoe said there are two fees; the late fee on utility bills and the delinquent fees. The late fees for the 4d` Quarter in 2025 were processed on February 1, 2026. If a utility bill was more than 30-days past due the account received a late fee. We can go back and remove the 4th Quarter late fees. Utility bills that are more than 90-days past due are from the 3rd Quarter in 2025. They are delinquent and will be certified to Ramsey County. She is seeking direction if we want to waive the late fees, the delinquent fees or both. The delinquent accounts could still be certified, the additional fee just wouldn't be added into the amount. Councilmember Holden thought earlier discussion was to waive both for January through March. City Administrator Jagoe said if Council would like to waive 1st Quarter in 2026, those would go on May 1, 2026. Mayor Grant is in favor of January, February and March. Councilmember Weber said this is the application of fees in January, February and March. Operation Metro Surge primarily happened at the end of December. That will still affect those delinquent bills because they aren't getting the late fee until January. City Administrator Jagoe said the billings that went out for the service dates of October, November and December, 2025 and are 30-days past due had the late fees applied on February 1, 2026. Those accounts that still remain 90-days past due from that same billing period will be brought to Council in April with a request to certify those accounts to Ramsey County. Councilmember Weber asked if the County's recent decision to defer property tax payments will effectively buy these residents more time. Mayor Grant said that is true for any residents who do not escrow taxes. Councilmember Weber said any fees that are added to taxes are not covered by escrow. City Administrator Jagoe said the amounts will be added to future collection as part of the next tax assessment year. The benefit of the City certifying quarterly is that if the property is sold before the next tax year, we are still able to collect those when the property is sold. To the point of the County extending payments for 2026 property taxes, nothing that we certify in April or later this year will be payable in 2027. Discussion ensued on what time frame and what amounts should be waived. Council considered Staff time of not having to go back to remove fees that have already been applied. Council wants to give residents relief but not at the expense of creating extra work for the billing department. Council agreed to waive the 90-day delinquent fee on the 4d' Quarter of 2025 and waive the 30-day late fee and 90-day delinquent fee for the I` Quarter of 2026. If Staff receives calls, the existing policy will be followed with Staff having discretion, depending on the situation. Council agreed that if a commercial property calls and has a high dollar amount in late fees, they would like to have a conversation on those individual cases. City Administrator Jagoe said the Cities for Safe and Stable Communities Coalition was established for a four month time frame. It originally included eight cities and the cost for the lobbyist and the coalition was quoted in the contract for $40,000. As more cities come on, the cost