The City of Modesto Treats Businesses Better Than it does Its Residents.
By Emerson Drake 
Can you imagine being behind more than 30 days in your water/sewer bill what Modesto’s reaction would be? Yep, it would cut off your service. And before the speculation begins I’ve never had my water cut off. As anyone knows that has owed the city money they can be pretty cold hearted.
Now imagine you have collected money that you owe to Modesto but refuse to pay them. What would the city do? Well if you are a business absolutely nothing. Budgetel Inn on McHenry operated by United Resorts LLC has owed Modesto lodging taxes (transient occupancy tax) since August of 2008. That’s right 2008 and they finally got around to trying to collect in earnest and started proceedings October 29, 2014. Modesto Tax Administrator, Gloriette Genereux ruled in January of 2015 UR LLC owed $106,623.50 in outstanding TOT and penalties.
Since then the Motel has played the lawyer game and stretched out the proceedings by mailing challenges to the wrong party and agreeing to pay, then failing to honor its promises. All of this comes from tonight’s Council agenda Item 14. agendaitem145316 and agendaitem1425316
Budgetel has been bargaining in bad faith from the beginning in our opinion. They’ve held on to the City’s ‘OUR’ money since 2008 and it’s time for it to come to an end. Unless of course they’ll let residents wait 8 years to pay their bills like they do businesses.
Eye On Modesto 