http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-920378.mp3
Kansas City, MO – Property owners who have let yards go to seed owe Kansas City more than a million dollars. Next week the City Council will vote whether to get tough.
There's a defined period between sending a mowing bill and time it becomes delinquent. City Treasurer Tammy Queen told a council committee today--"the property owner currently has 60 days, from the date of the assessment to pay. This ordinance would shorten that time to 30 days."
Sooner the bill is unpaid and delinquent, sooner it can go to Jackson County for collection as part of the owner's overall taxbill. The city has individual collection agreements with each county that touches city limits.
The shortened period is important because most bills issued in mowing season don't go delinquent until September. Sometimes it is too late to go on November tax bills and the city has to wait a year for payment.