HomeMy WebLinkAbout21-045 Adopting an Uncollectable Debt Policy for the City of Port Townsend Public Library and Authorizing the Forgiveness of the Replacement Costs of Library Materials Resolution 21-045
RESOLUTION NO. 21-045
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND,
WASHINGTON, ADOPTING AN UNCOLLECTABLE DEBT POLICY FOR THE CITY
OF PORT TOWNSEND PUBLIC LIBRARY AND AUTHORIZING THE
FORGIVENESS OF REPLACEMENT COSTS OF LIBRARY MATERIALS
WHEREAS,the City of Port Townsend Public Library ("Library") is a conscientious
steward of public assets and resources for the roughly 50,000 items available for public use in
the library's collection; and,
WHEREAS, the Library's current practice is to assess replacement fees equal to the cost
of replacement for materials that are not returned or are damaged by borrowers; and,
WHEREAS, despite attempts to collect the replacement fees, some of those debts remain
uncollected after many years; and,
WHEREAS, the statute of limitations to collect accounts receivable is six years making
any replacement fees over six years old uncollectable; and,
WHEREAS,the City's Director of Finance and Administrative Services and City
Attorney have determined that the cost to the City of collecting outstanding replacement fees
exceeds the amount of revenue that could reasonably be expected to be received, and
recommends Council authorize writing them off as bad debt.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Port
Townsend as follows:
Section 1. Staff is authorized to write off the replacement costs of materials that
are not returned or that are damaged by borrowers that are older than six years.
Section 2. Staff is authorized to write off replacement costs that are outstanding
on the effective date of this Resolution.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend at a special meeting
thereof, held this 6t" day of July 2021.
Michelle Sandov 1
Mayor
Attest: Approved as to form:
:. _.
Joanna Sanders, MMC l _letdtircen aiod
City Clerk City Attorney