2007-26656 ResoRESOLUTION NO. 2007-26656
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE
ADMINISTRATION TO CHARGE CUSTOMERS $50.00 FOR AN
ONLINE LIEN SEARCH AND $75.00 FOR A CERTIFIED LIEN SEARCH
IN WHICH THE ONLINE SERVICE WILL BE HOSTED BY CONDUITS
REPORTING SERVICES FROM NET ASSETS, AND A REVIEW OF
THESE FEES WILL BE REQUIRED WHENEVER THE CHANGE IN THE
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI), BETWEEN THE LATEST CPI AND
THE DATE OF THE CPI USED FOR THE LAST FEE ADJUSTMENT, IS
FIVE PERCENT (5%) OR GREATER.
WHEREAS, when a customer requests a certified lien statement, he/she
mails or faxes a request for a certified lien statement to the Finance Department
with the address and/or folio number of the property that a lien search is
requested for; and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 2006-26351 approved the purchase,
implementation, maintenance, customer support service and hosting of the
Conduits Reporting Service ("System") from Net Assets, the sole source
provider; and
WHEREAS, the System is a software application operated and maintained
by Net Assets which will receive daily uploads of account information compiled
by the City's IT Department from the City's various information systems; and
WHEREAS, this System will automate the search of all the City's systems
and will expedite lien requests and reduce staff time resulting in a salary savings
to the City of approximately $52,153; and
WHEREAS, the charge for the current service from Finance is $25 but it
does not include information about open Code or Building violations, or
information about open Building Permits; and
WHEREAS, additional charges apply if the customer wishes to find out if
there are Building or Code violations, which are investigated at $30 per violation
and require additional time; and
WHEREAS, a typical charge could range from $25 - $55 for the financial
portion, including one violation from Building or Code; and
WHEREAS, the Administration is proposing that the fees be established at
$50.00 for anon-certified lien search, and $75 for a certified lien search, which
reflect a service fee to Net Assets, related technology costs of gathering the
information for Net Assets, and to bring the City's fees more into line with other
agencies and provide a more efficient service; and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 2003-25299 requires a review of City fees
whenever the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), between the latest CPI
and the date used for the last fee adjustment, is five percent (5%) or greater.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND
CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the
Mayor and City Commission hereby authorize the Administration to charge
customers $50.00 for an online lien search and $75.00 for a certified lien search
in which the online service will be hosted by Conduits Reporting Services from
Net Assets, and a review of these fees will be required whenever the change in
the Consumer Price Index (CPI), between the latest CPI and the date of the CPI
used for the last fee adjustment, is five percent (5%) or greater.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 26th DAY OF September , 2007
ATTEST:
k
U
CITY CLERK
Robert Parcher
David/ Dermer
AppRO`.~ED AS TO
FORM ~ LANGUAGE
t~ FOR EXECUTION
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Date
T:\AGENDA\2007\sep2607\regular\Lien Search Fee Reso.doc
COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
A Resolution Authorizing The Administration To Charge Customers $50.00 For An Online Lien Search And
$75.00 For A Certified Lien Search in Which The Online Service Will Be Hosted By Conduits Reporting Services
From Net Assets, And A Review Of These Fees Will Be Required Whenever The Change In The Consumer Price
Index (CPI), Between The Latest CPI And The Date Of The CPI Used For the Last Fee Adjustment, Is Five
Percent (5%) Or Greater.
Ke Intended Outcome Su orted:
• Enhance external/internal communication from and within the City;
• Increase resident satisfaction with employee contact;
• Improve process through Information Technology; and
• Make City More Business Friendly.
Supporting Data (Surveys, Environmental Scan, etc.): Rate the overall value of City Services for the
tax dollars that you paid. Overall 46% of residents and 55% of businesses ranked the City either excellent or
ood.
Issue:
Shall the City Commission Adopt the Resolution?
Item Summary/Recommenaat~on:
The Conduit Reporting System is a software application operated and maintained by Net Assets which will
receive daily uploads of account information complied by the City's IT Department from the City's various
information systems. The information will be compiled by address, folio number and customer and will be
retrieved from the System by inputting the property's address, folio number or owner.
This System will automate the search of all the City's systems and will expedite lien requests. As a result, the time
to process certified lien statements requests will be significantly reduced and reduce staff time at a cost savings
to the City of approximately $52,153. Currently, it could take as much as 15-30 business days to get a lien
statement. However, with this online service, the customer will be able to obtain the lien search within minutes.
The charge for the current service from Finance is $25 but it does not include information about open Code or
Building violations, or information about open Building Permit. Additional charges apply if the customer wishes to
find out if there are Building or Code violations which are investigated at $30 per violation and require additional
time. So a typical charge could range from $25-$55 for the financial portion, including one violation from Building
or Code. The Administration is proposing that this fee be established at $50.00 for anon-certified "instant" lien
report and $75.00 for a certified report. The proposed fees reflect a service fee to Net Assets, related technology
costs of gathering the information for Net Assets, and to bring or fees more into line with other agencies and
provide a more efficient service. In addition, as provided in Resolution 2003-25299, a review of City fees will be
required whenever the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), between the latest CPI and the date of the CPI
used for the last fee adjustment, is five percent (5%) or greater.
ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
Advisory Board Recommendation:
Financial Information:
Source of Amount Account Approved
Funds: ~
N/A 2
OBPI Total
Financial Impact Summary:
Ci Clerk's Office Le islative Trackin
Trish Walker, ext. 6461
_ ~nn_ s• n
Depa ent Director As i City Manager City Manager
GE PDW JMG
T:WGENDA\2007\sep2607\regular\Lien Search Fee Summary.doc
(~ AGEI~IDA ITEM ~ 26
(_) SATE
m MIAMIBEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, w~ww.miamibeachfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor David Dermer and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
DATE: September 26, 2007
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION TO
CHARGE CUSTOMERS $50.00 FOR AN ONLINE LIEN SEARCH AND
$75.00 FOR A CERTIFIED LIEN SEARCH IN WHICH THE ONLINE SERVICE
WILL BE HOSTED BY CONDUITS REPORTING SERVICES FROM NET
ASSETS, AND A REVIEW OF THESE FEES WILL BE REQUIRED
WHENEVER THE CHANGE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI),
BETWEEN THE LATEST CPI AND THE DATE OF THE CPI USED
FOR THE LAST FEE ADJUSTMENT, IS FIVE PERCENT (5%) OR
GREATER.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution
KEY INTENDED OUTCOMES SUPPORTED
• Enhance external/internal communication from and within the City;
• Increase resident satisfaction with employee contact;
• Improve process through Information Technology; and
• Make City More Business Friendly.
BACKGROUND
Beginning in October 2007, the City of Miami Beach will unveil its new web-based lien
search system (the "System"). The new System will include open building permits and
both Code and Building violations in addition to unpaid amounts for all other City
charges (i.e. Water, Sewer, Stormwater, Waste, Resort Tax, Special Assessments,
Business Tax, and Misc. City bills).
The System is a software application operated and maintained by Net Assets, which will
receive daily uploads of account information compiled by the City's IT Department from
the City's various information systems. The information will be sorted by address, folio
number and customer and will be retrieved from the System by inputting the property's
address, folio number or owner.
Commission Memo Re Net Assets
September 26, 2007
Page 2 oft
A customer will be able to request a lien statement online from their home or business
computer and receive the results in minutes. If they require a certified lien statement
Finance will review and certify the information and it will take no more than 48 hours, a
significant reduction from the current 15-30 business days. This new process of lien
search will result in a salary savings to the City of approximately $52,153.
The charge for the current service from Finance is $25 but it does not include
information about open Code or Building violations, or information about open Building
Permits. Additional charges apply if the customer wishes to find out if there are Building
or Code violations, which are investigated at $30 per violation and require additional
time. So a typical charge could range from $25 - $55 for the financial portion, including
one violation from Building or Code. We are proposing that this fee be established at
$50.00 for anon-certified "instant" lien report and $75.00 for a certified report.
The proposed new fees are compatible with other cities within Miami-Dade and Broward
Counties. The following chart summarizes the amount that some cities charge for an
uncertified lien report:
City of Miami $55.00 for same day service;
City of Hollywood $50.00 for same day service;
City of Boca Raton $110.00 for next day service;
Hallandale Beach $125.00 for 4 day service (no same day service);
Miami-Dade County $60.00 for 20-30 day service (no same day service).
The proposed fees reflect a service fee to Net Assets, related technology costs of
gathering the information for Net Assets, and to bring our fees more into line with other
agencies and provide a more efficient service.
In addition, as provided in Resolution 2003-25299, a review of City fees, including Lien
Search Fees, will be required whenever the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI),
between the latest CPI and the date of the CPI used for the last fee adjustment, is five
percent (5%) or greater.
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission of the City of
Miami Beach, Florida, adopt the attached resolution, authorizing the Administration to
charge $50.00 for an online lien search and $75.00 for a certified lien search in which
the online service will be hosted by Conduits Reporting Service from Net Assets, and a
review of these fees will be required whenever the change in the Consumer Price Index
(CPI), between the latest CPI and the date of the CPI used for the last fee adjustment, is
five percent (5%) or greater.
T:\AGENDA\2007\sep2607budget\regular\Lien Search Fee Comm Memo.doc