Agenda Item Wording:
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Contested special assessments - Adoption of Resolution 2026-44 authorizing placement of contested assessments on the Tulare County secured property tax roll following the June 1, 2026 public hearing.
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Agenda Date: 06/15/2026
Prepared by: Ruth Pena, Financial Analyst, Ruth.Pena@visalia.gov, (559) 713-4327; Renee Nagel, Finance and Technology Director, Renee.Nagel@visalia.gov, (559) 713-4375.
Department Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution 2026-44, authorizing placement of the contested assessments on the Tulare County secured property tax roll.
Summary:
During the June 1, 2026, public hearing, six property owners contested assessments proposed for placement on the Tulare County secured property tax roll. The City Council directed staff to conduct additional review and return with recommendations. Following that review, staff recommends placement of all six contested assessments on the Tulare County secured property tax roll for collection. Property owners may pay the outstanding amounts by June 30, 2026, to avoid placement on the tax roll.
Background Discussion:
On June 1, 2026, the City Council conducted a public hearing to consider the placement of unpaid assessments, fines, and delinquent costs on the Tulare County secured property tax roll. During the hearing, six property owners contested the proposed assessments and requested further review by staff.
Following Council direction, staff reviewed each contested assessment, including the applicable enforcement history, notice requirements, appeal opportunities, and payment status. Based on that review, staff recommends that all six contested assessments be placed on the Tulare County secured property tax roll for collection unless payment is received by June 30, 2026.
The Council’s consideration is limited to determining whether the assessment is owed and whether the required administrative procedures were properly followed. The hearing is not intended to reconsider the underlying violation, nuisance determination, or enforcement action. In all cases, an administrative appeal process has been provided to address the substance of the matter, and there is no further appeal to the City Council.
Pursuant to Visalia Municipal Code Sections 15.44.040 and 8.40.060, administrative costs associated with overseeing the abatement of the conditions constituting a public nuisance (including the cost of inspections) may be assessed and made a lien on the real property where the public nuisance exists or existed.
The City has put in place an administrative enforcement procedure (Visalia Municipal Code Chapter 1.13) that allows property owners to appeal both the determination that a nuisance exists as well as the assessment of inspection fees through an administrative process, culminating in a hearing before an Administrative Hearing Officer, which results in a final Administrative Enforcement Order. Under this process, if the appellant disagrees with the Hearing Officer’s decision, the appellant has 90 days to appeal the decision to the Superior Court - there is no appeal to the City Council.
Only after all administrative and court appeal periods have expired is the City authorized to place unpaid fines and abatement fees (including inspection fees) on the Tulare County property tax roll for collection.
Consistent with Council direction, staff conducted additional review of the six contested assessments and is returning with recommendations regarding those items.
Payments can be made by June 30, 2026, to avoid the assessment being placed on the tax roll.
Contested Assessments Recommended for Placement on the Tax Roll
The following contested assessments have been reviewed and are recommended for placement on the Tulare County secured property tax roll for collection.
1. Property Owner: Lisa and Ronald Colburn
Property Address: 777 N Burke
APN: 094-110-008
Case Number: CE230804
Lien Amount: $2,667.86
This property was removed from last year’s tax lien process based on the property owner hiring 4-Creeks Engineering to assist with the correcting and permitting the unpermitted work. Based on the actions taken by the property owner to address the violation, staff previously recommended removing the property from the tax lien process to allow the engineering firm additional time for completion of the required plans and permits. However, as of this year’s Public Hearing, the property owner still had not completed the process. Additionally, 4-Creeks Engineering did not submit the required plans necessary to obtain a permit prior to the Public Hearing Notices.
The Planning and Community Development Department and Neighborhood Preservation Division have determined that the property owner was given proper notification and policies and procedures were followed. Based on the inaction of the property owner to comply with last year’s agreement to correct the violations in lieu of the tax lien, staff recommends that the amount $2,642.86, plus the administrative fee of $25.00, for a total of $2,667.86, be placed as a tax lien assessment on the property at 777 N Burke. If the property is compliant by June 30, 2026, the amount will be removed. Attachment 1 provides additional information on the details of the procedures that were followed.
2. Property Owner: Jada Antonina Trust
Property Address: 4508 Howard Ct
APN: 087-380-063
Case Number: CE251484
Lien Amount: $1,025.00
The Planning and Community Development Department and Neighborhood Preservation Division have determined that the property owner was given proper notification and policies and procedures were followed. Staff recommends that the fines of $1,000.00, plus the $25.00 administrative fee, for a total of $1,025.00, be placed as a tax lien assessment on the property at 4508 Howard Ct. Attachment 2 provides additional information on the details of the procedures that were followed.
3. Property Owner: Benjamin Pineda (TR)
Property Address: 1706 Dorothea Ave
APN: 122-312-009
Case Number: CE251516
Lien Amount: $2,932.35
The Planning and Community Development Department and Neighborhood Preservation Division have determined that the property owner was given proper notification and policies and procedures were followed. Staff recommends that the fines and cost recovery amount of $2,907.35, plus the $25.00 administrative fee, for a total of $2,932.35, be placed as a tax lien assessment on the property at 1706 Dorothea Ave. Attachment 3 provides additional information on the details of the procedures that were followed.
4. Property Owner: Doris Biondich
Property Address: 2840 W Orchard Ct
APN: 121-353-027
Account Number: 736442
Lien Amount: $811.12 (January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025)
The Finance Department and Utility Billing Division has determined that the property owner was given proper notification of the tax roll amount and that all policies and procedures were followed according to the municipal code. Staff recommends that the outstanding balance of $786.12, plus the administrative fee of $25.00, for a total of $811.12 be placed as a tax lien assessment on the property at 2840 W Orchard Ct. Attachment 4 provides additional information on the details of the procedures that were followed.
5. Property Owner: Christine A Marquez
Property Address: 4138 E Willow Ave
APN: 103-520-002
Account Number: 765787
Lien Amount: $409.64 (January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025)
The Finance Department and Utility Billing Division has determined that the property owner was given proper notification of the tax roll amount and that all policies and procedures were followed according to the municipal code. Staff recommends that the outstanding balance of $384.64, plus the administrative fee of $25.00, for a total of $409.64 be placed as a tax lien assessment on the property at 4138 E Willow Ave. Attachment 5 provides additional information on the details of the procedures that were followed.
6. Property Owner: Ramandeep Kaur
Property Address: 1367 S Palm
APN: 101-390-011
Case Number: 250812096
Lien Amount: $225.00
The Parks and Recreation Department and Animal Control Division have determined that the property owner was given proper notification of the tax roll amount and that all policies and procedures were followed according to the municipal code. Staff recommends that the outstanding balance of $200.00, plus the administrative fee of $25.00, for a total of $225.00 be placed as a tax lien assessment on the property at 1367 S Palm. Attachment 6 provides additional information on the details of the procedures that were followed.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs: Without placement on the tax roll, these charges for services are unlikely to be recovered.
Prior Council Action: City Council Public Hearing on June 1, 2026.
Alternatives: Do not authorize the Finance Department to place parcels 094-110-008, 087-380-063, 122-312-009, 121-353-027, 103-520-002 and 101-390-011 on the Miscellaneous Special Assessment of the Tulare County secured property tax roll.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to adopt Resolution 2026-44 authorizing the placement of the assessments 094-110-008, 087-380-063, 122-312-009, 121-353-027, 103-520-002 and 101-390-011 on the Miscellaneous Special Assessments on the Tulare County secured property tax roll for collection.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 06/15/2026
Attachments: Attachment 1: 094-110-008 (777 N Burke); Attachment 2: 087-380-063 (4508 Howard Ct); Attachment 3: 122-312-009 (1706 Dorothea Ave); Attachment 4: 121-353-027 (2840 W Orchard Ct); Attachment 5: 103-520-002 (4138 E Willow Ave); Attachment 6: 101-390-011 (1367 S Palm); Attachment 7: Resolution 2026-44; Attachment 8: presentation
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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