What happened.Title searches are complete for properties behind on taxes, and the city attorney will file foreclosure petitions with the county clerk starting next week. Public notice will run in local papers; private notice goes by certified mail to owners and anyone with a recorded interest identified in the title search. 21 properties remain on the list, most owing under $10,000, one owing only a few hundred dollars from an owner the city has been unable to reach despite extensive outreach.

Why it matters.One property, a church at 448 Orange Street next to the library, paid its full tax debt in cash last week and came off the list. The process is expected to take about four months, concluding in November or December.

Where it’s headed.Foreclosure filings and notices begin next week; the process is expected to conclude by November or December.

What happened.The sewer fund had only $177,000 in the bank, not enough to cover a $167,000 debt service payment due August 1 and still pay ongoing payroll and expenses. The Council voted to authorize a temporary $100,000 interfund loan from the general fund to the sewer fund, to be repaid when sewer revenues come in. Treasurer Heather Campbell said the city has about $1.9 million in outstanding interfund loans to capital projects, which tightens cash flow given outstanding tax receivables and the need to float projects that operate on a reimbursement basis.

Why it matters.This is an annual wastewater treatment plant debt payment. Interfund loans happen regularly with the water fund, less so with the sewer fund. The treasurer is working with DPW to identify any outstanding sewer revenues that should be collected.

Where it’s headed.The loan will be repaid when the sewer fund generates revenue. The city is identifying outstanding sewer bills.

What happened.Council President Margaret Morris introduced a draft local law establishing a seven-member Charter Revision Commission: five volunteer community members plus the council president and majority leader as ex officio voting members. The Council spent 30 minutes debating structure and process; no vote was taken.

Why it matters.Morris said the charter hasn't been comprehensively updated in years and still contains outdated language, including references to proportional voting, which no longer exists. Council members Jennifer Belton and Lola Roberts suggested each ward appoint its own member instead, for geographic representation. At public comment, residents raised concerns about a low quorum threshold and the lack of a public process for vetting commission members.

Where it’s headed.Morris will collect Council feedback over the next week and return with a revised draft next month; a resulting local law would require its own public hearing.

What happened.The Common Council will schedule a public hearing on its waterfront dock law clarification, possibly within two weeks, after the county planning board disapproved the measure in a June 16 letter. Council President Margaret Morris also proposed a special meeting immediately before the hearing so Colarusso can present its response.

Why it matters.County disapproval raises the bar for passage: the Council now needs seven votes instead of six. Council member Jason Foster noted the version sent to planning boards in May was significantly revised from what a resident originally submitted, changes made by the Council without public discussion.

Where it’s headed.Council members are sending availability for both the special meeting and the public hearing over the next two weeks.

What happened.The Common Council passed a new parking fine structure designed to push drivers to pay promptly rather than ignore tickets. Under the new system, a parking fine doubles after 30 days, triples after 60, quadruples after 90, and goes to collections after 120. Safety violations were bumped higher: fire zone parking went from $50 to $100, and alley parking (a problem for emergency vehicles) from $20 to $50.

Why it matters.The old structure, last updated in 2020, carried no incentive to pay after the initial 30 days. The city compared its new fines to other municipalities to avoid being an outlier, and the police department reviewed and approved the structure.

Where it’s headed.The new fines are in effect. The city is contracting with a collections agency to pursue tickets past 120 days.

What happened.Building and plumbing permits are running at about 30% of last year's levels and 30% of budget through June, likely due to delays in anticipated projects. Parking revenue is on track at 50% of budget, with off-street parking making up for lower ticket revenue. Sales tax figures for the second quarter are expected soon, with early reports suggesting a strong quarter.

Where it’s headed.The treasurer is watching for second-quarter sales tax figures and any improvement in permit revenue.

What happened.The city's auditors are working on three concurrent audits: the regular 2025 financial audit, a federal single audit (required because federal spending topped $1 million), and a state DOT audit triggered by the Heritage Bridge project and other transportation funds.

Why it matters.Auditors have been requesting hundreds of documents since mid-July. Completing the audit sets the final 2025 fund balance figure that will inform 2027 budget planning.

Where it’s headed.The treasurer and auditors both expect to meet the September 30 federal deadline.