Bethel City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Tuesday to authorize reimbursements to Bethel property owners who the city overcharged on real estate taxes for more than a decade, following a typo in the city’s tax code.
City Attorney Patty Burley discovered the problem and says the city overcharged about 160 transactions, collecting more than $100,000 in excess charges since 2002. The most the city could have overcharged someone, she says, is $1,200.
Anyone overcharged will receive a refund with interest at 3.5 percent compounded annually.
People can start applying for refunds as soon as the city posts the claim forms on their website and makes them available at the city finance office.
The Bethel City Council meeting began on time with all members present except Vice Mayor Byron Mazynski. The meeting adjourned at 10:56 p.m.
