Court Opinion

ID: 6322923
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-03-14 15:10:28.450624+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:21:15.951738
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Stanfield v. Attica, 2022-Ohio-747.]

                       IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                           THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
                               SENECA COUNTY

RAFAELA STANFIELD, ET AL.,

        PLAINTIFFS-APPELLANTS,                           CASE NO. 13-21-09

        v.

VILLAGE OF ATTICA, SENECA COUNTY,
                                                         OPINION
        DEFENDANT-APPELLEE.

                  Appeal from Seneca County Common Pleas Court
                            Trial Court No. 20 CV 0203

      Judgment Affirmed in Part, Reversed in Part and Cause Remanded

                             Date of Decision: March 14, 2022

APPEARANCES:

        Rafaela Stanfield and Kirk Stanfield, Appellants

        Dean Henry for Appellee
Case No. 13-21-09

ZIMMERMAN, P.J.

         {¶1} Plaintiffs-appellants, Kirk and Rafaela Stanfield (the “Stanfields”), pro

se, appeal the June 4 and July 6, 2021 entries of the Seneca County Court of

Common Pleas granting judgment in favor of defendant-appellee, the Village of

Attica, Seneca County (“Attica”). For the reasons that follow, we affirm in part and

reverse in part.

         {¶2} This case stems from an ongoing dispute between the Stanfields and

Attica regarding Attica’s water and sewer assessments.1 Because the Stanfields

disagree with the way in which Attica assesses water and sewer services, they filed

a complaint on August 20, 2020 alleging claims for wrongful and discriminatory

billing, excessive late fees and penalties, improper auditor certifications, and for

violations of their “civil rights.” (Doc. No. 4). Attica filed its answer on September

18, 2020. (Doc. No. 7).

         {¶3} The case proceeded to a bench trial on April 27, 2021, after which the

trial court permitted the parties to submit written closing statements. (Doc. Nos. 19,

20). On June 4, 2021, the trial court issued a general judgment in favor of Attica.

(Doc. No. 21). The Stanfields filed a request for findings of fact and conclusions of

law on June 15, 2021. (Doc. No. 25). The parties filed proposed findings of fact

1
 Much of the factual and procedural background related to this case is recited in a previous case, and we will
not duplicate those efforts here. See Alt v. Pazmino-Stanfield, 3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-17-34, 2018-Ohio-
2346.

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Case No. 13-21-09

and conclusions of law and the trial court issued its findings of fact and conclusions

of law on July 6, 2021. (Doc. Nos. 27, 28, 29). The trial court made the following

findings of fact and conclusions of law (as relevant to this appeal):

            FINDINGS OF FACT

            4. Attica Village Ordinance 95-04, adopted on July 27, 1995,
       established penalties for non-payment of water and sewer utilities.
       Ordinance 95-04 set a ten percent (10%) penalty that is “assessed on
       delinquent portions of water billing.”

             5. Attica generally bills for sewer services based on the amount
       of water a household uses. Attica bills water and sewer services on
       the same bill. Except for flat-fee sewer services, Attica bills for sewer
       services based on water usage.

            6. There is no practical way to measure sewage flow from
       residence [sic] household for purpose of determining sewer charges.
       Without a water measurement, residential sewage flow cannot be
       determined accurately.

            7. At Plaintiff Kirk Stansfield’s [sic] request, Attica terminated
       water service to the Stanfield home in November of 2009. The
       termination of water service prevented Attica from measuring the
       sewer usage for the Stanfield residence.

            8. After the termination of water service to the Stanfield
       residence, [the] Stanfields continued to use Attica’s sewer system
       without making any sewer payments.

            9. On January 28, 2010, Attica established a flat-fee water and
       sewer rate structure via Ordinance number 2009-50. This ordinance
       included a flat-fee rate structure for sewer service for households that
       do not use Attica water.

            ***

            CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

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Case No. 13-21-09

           ***

           4. Penalties for non-payment of utility bills are authorized by
      ordinance and statute. Ohio law permits rents or charges, together
      with any penalties, to be levied and certified to the County Auditor.
      Both [R.C. 743.04(A)(1)(a) and 735.29] authorize the assessment of
      unpaid rents, charges and penalties.

           5. There is no difference between water and sewer services for
      purposes of applying the ten percent (10%) penalty. Alt v. Pazmino-
      Stanfield, 3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-17-34, 2018-Ohio-2346.

           ***

            7. [R.C. 1343.01] addresses the maximum rate of interest that
      may be charged a party to a “bond, bill, promissory note, or other
      instrument of writing for the forbearance or payment of money at any
      future time.” The penalty for non-payment is just that, a penalty. It
      is not an interest charge. The Ohio usury statute has no application to
      the penalties assessed for delinquent water and sewer charges.

           8. The issue of alleged improper auditor certifications has
      previously been litigated by the Stanfields in [Alt] * * * .

           ***

           12. The Stanfields were on notice that they were subject to an
      assessment on their property for sewer services:

           “Because R.C. 735.29 specifically provides authority for the
           board of trustee [sic] of public affairs to ‘manage, conduct, and
           control the waterworks [* * *] or other similar public utilities,
           we find this language, coupled with the tax certification and
           ordinance language utilized by the Village was sufficient to put
           [the Stanfields] on notice that they were subject to an assessment
           on their property taxes for water services, sewer services, or
           both.”

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Case No. 13-21-09

      [Alt at ¶ 16, quoting R.C. 735.29 and citing Britt v. Columbus, 38 Ohio
      St.2d 1, 8 (1974)].

            13. [The] Stanfields’ allegations of civil rights violations * * *
      were never developed at trial. * * * [The] Stanfields’ claim of
      disparate treatment was negated by testimony that they were not being
      treated differently than others similarly situated.

           14. [The] Stanfields’ challenge to the certifications to the
      County Auditor and allegations that the County Auditor “adds more
      penalties” were not proven at trial. [The] Stanfields failed to join
      Seneca County Auditor as a party to this action.

(Underline sic.) (Doc. No. 29).

      {¶4} On July 29, 2021, the Stanfields field their notice of appeal. (Doc. No.

30). They raise seven assignments of error, which we will discuss together.

                           Assignment of Error No. I

      The Trial Court committed reversible error by failing to
      acknowledge that there is no statutory authority for “Debt
      Retirement Flat Rates” charged by Attica to water and sewer
      customers.

                          Assignment of Error No. II

      The Trial Court committed reversible error by failing to
      recognize the punitive and discriminatory nature of the “Debt
      Retirement Flat Rate” charged to Plaintiff-Appellants.

                          Assignment of Error No. III

      The Trial Court committed reversible error by not
      acknowledging that Attica has the responsibility to meter water
      (and sewer) usage and that their failure to do so is not statutory
      authority for the “Debt Retirement Flat Rate” charge for “sewer
      nonmetered”.

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Case No. 13-21-09

                            Assignment of Error No. IV

       The Trial Court committed reversible error by condoning
       Attica’s billing practice of compounding penalties and late fees at
       10 percent per month.

                             Assignment of Error No. V

       The Trial court committed reversible error by not examining the
       “certifications” Attica submitted to the Seneca County Auditor
       and confirming or denying that these “certifications” conform to
       Ohio State law.

                            Assignment of Error No. VI

       The Trial Court committed reversible error by not
       acknowledging the undeniable and proven (with Defendant’s own
       documents) illegal and non-statutory acts and actions that have
       harmed Plaintiffs for over ten years.

                           Assignment of Error No. VII

       The Trial Court committed reversible error by its overreliance on
       Alt v. Pazmino-Stanfield (2018) in its Findings of Fact and
       Conclusions of Law.

       {¶5} In their first, second, third, fifth, sixth, and seventh assignments of error,

the Stanfields argue that we should reverse the trial court’s decision because Attica

is without statutory authority to assess a flat rate for households that utilize only

sewer services. In other words, in their first, third, and sixth assignments of error,

the Stanfields argue that Ordinance 2009-50 (permitting Attica to assess a flat rate)

is invalid. Similarly, in their second assignment of error, the Stanfields contend that

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Case No. 13-21-09

the amount of the flat rate “is punitive and discriminatory” as applied to them.

(Appellant’s Brief at 12).

       {¶6} Under their fifth and seventh assignments error, the Stanfields

specifically argue (based on their argument that Ordinance 2009-50 is invalid) that

Attica’s certifications to the Seneca County Auditor of their unpaid sewer

assessments are erroneous.

       {¶7} Finally, in their fourth assignment of error, the Stanfields argue that the

trial court erred by concluding that Attica has authority to compound the cumulative

unpaid water and sewer assessment.

                                 Standard of Review

       {¶8} “‘When reviewing a civil appeal from a bench trial, we apply a manifest

weight standard of review.’” Lump v. Larson, 3d Dist. Logan No. 8-14-14, 2015-

Ohio-469, ¶ 9, quoting San Allen, Inc. v. Buehrer, 8th Dist., 2014-Ohio-2071, ¶ 89.

“‘[A] civil judgment “supported by some competent, credible evidence going to all

the essential elements of the case will not be reversed by a reviewing court as being

against the manifest weight of the evidence.”’” Id., quoting Warnecke v. Chaney,

194 Ohio App.3d 459, 2011-Ohio-3007, ¶ 13 (3d Dist.), quoting C.E. Morris Co. v.

Foley Constr. Co., 54 Ohio St.2d 279 (1978), syllabus.

       {¶9} “‘“[W]hen reviewing a judgment under a manifest-weight-of-the-

evidence standard, a court has an obligation to presume that the findings of the trier

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Case No. 13-21-09

of fact are correct.”’” Id. at ¶ 10, quoting Warnecke at ¶ 13, quoting State v. Wilson,

113 Ohio St.3d 382, 2007-Ohio-2202, ¶ 24. “‘The rationale for this presumption is

that the trial court is in the best position to evaluate the evidence by viewing

witnesses and observing their demeanor, voice inflection, and gestures.’” Id.,

quoting Warnecke at ¶ 13, citing Seasons Coal Co. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77,

80 (1984). “‘“A reviewing court should not reverse a decision simply because it

holds a different opinion concerning the credibility of the witnesses and evidence

submitted before the trial court.”’” Id., quoting Warnecke at ¶ 13, quoting Seasons

Coal at 81. “‘“A finding of an error in law is a legitimate ground for reversal, but a

difference of opinion on credibility of witnesses and evidence is not.”’” Id., quoting

Warnecke at ¶ 13, quoting Seasons Coal at 81.

                                       Analysis

       {¶10} As an initial matter, the Stanfields failed to provide a transcript of the

proceedings in this case or a suitable alternative. Accord Spinner v. Barger, 3d Dist.

Shelby No. 17-16-27, 2017-Ohio-1489, ¶ 9. “Under App.R. 9, an appellant must

submit to the appellate court a transcript of the trial court proceedings they deem

necessary for the appellate court’s review.” Tretola v. Tretola, 3d Dist. Logan No.

8-14-12, 2014-Ohio-5484, ¶ 83. “However, if no transcript is available, App.R.

9(C) and (D) provide alternatives for the appellant.” Id. Instead of proceeding under

App.R. 9, the Stanfields directed this court to the parties’ written closing statements.

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Case No. 13-21-09

Compare Moder v. Letscher LLC, 11th Dist. Trumbull No. 2004-T-0013, 2005-

Ohio-700, ¶ 9 (“Appellants, however, have failed to supply this court with either a

full transcript of the trial or a statement that conforms with App.R. 9(C) or (D).

Rather, they simply included appellee’s portion of the closing arguments.”).

       {¶11} “[W]here there is no transcript submitted on appeal, ‘[t]here is a

presumption that the trial court proceedings were validly conducted. Absent a

complete transcript or an acceptable alternative (such as is described in App.R.

9(C)), we must presume that the trial court’s decision is correct.’” Barksdale v.

Ohio Dept. of Rehab. & Correction, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 16AP-297, 2017-Ohio-

395, ¶ 17, quoting Jenkins v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 10th Dist. No. 11AP-

1074, 2013-Ohio-1142, ¶ 30. See also Spinner at ¶ 9 (“‘“When portions of the

transcript necessary for resolution of assigned errors are omitted from the record,

the reviewing court has nothing to pass upon and thus, as to those assigned errors,

the court has no choice but to presume the validity of the lower court’s proceedings,

and affirm.”’”), quoting Hayward v. Bellmann, 6th Dist. Williams No. WM-09-007,

2010-Ohio-3438, ¶ 40, quoting Knapp v. Edwards Laboratories, 61 Ohio St.2d 197,

199 (1980). “Furthermore, where an appellant fails to provide the court with a

transcript of the trial court proceedings, despite the fact that he contends that certain

of the trial court’s finding of fact were improper, a court has nothing to review

without a transcript and must presume that the findings of fact are correct and

                                          -9-
Case No. 13-21-09

supported by the evidence.” Barksdale at ¶ 17. Consequently, proceeding under

the presumption that the trial court’s findings of fact are correct and supported by

the evidence, we will review the portions of the Stanfields’ arguments that are not

dependent on a trial transcript for their resolution. See Knapp at 200.

       {¶12} In their first, third, and sixth assignments of error, the Stanfields argue

that Attica was without statutory authority to impose “‘flat rates’ or ‘Debt

Retirement Flat Rates’ that are unrelated to volume usage.” (Appellant’s Brief at

11). The Stanfields are mistaken.

       {¶13} Indeed, the parties do not dispute that the “Ohio Constitution

empowers Ohio municipalities to own and operate public utilities, including water

and sewer systems, for the purpose of providing utility services to themselves and

their residents.” Nolan v. Cleveland, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 105552, 2017-Ohio-

8887, ¶ 16, citing Xenia v. Ohio, 140 Ohio App.3d 65, 69 (10th Dist.2000) and R.C.

Chapter 743. In particular, R.C. 735.29, which describes the general powers and

duties of a village for the collection of water rents and charges, provides that “[t]he

board of trustees * * * shall manage, conduct, and control the waterworks * * * or

other similar public utilities, furnish supplies of water, [and] collect all water * * *

rents or charges * * * .” Namely, that statute authorizes a village, to assess a water

or utility rent or charge “of sufficient amount, and in such manner as it determines

to be most equitable” on the residences supplied with such service “[f]or the purpose

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Case No. 13-21-09

of paying the expenses of conducting and managing such waterworks, plants, and

public utilities or of making necessary” additions, extensions, or repairs. Id.

        {¶14} R.C. 743.04, which describes the assessment and collection of water

rents or charges, provides in its relevant part:

        (A) For the purpose of paying the expenses of conducting and
        managing the waterworks of a municipal corporation, including
        operating expenses and the costs of permanent improvements, the
        director of public service or any other city official or body authorized
        by charter may assess and collect a water rent or charge of sufficient
        amount and in such manner as the director, other official, or body
        determines to be most equitable from all tenements and premises
        supplied with water.

R.C. 743.04(A).

        {¶15} More importantly, R.C. 729.49, which describes a municipal

corporation’s authority to establish and collect sewer rents, provides, in its relevant

part:

        The legislative authority of a municipal corporation which has
        installed * * * sewerage * * * may, by ordinance, establish just and
        equitable rates or charges of rents to be paid to the municipal
        corporation for the use of such services, by every person * * * whose
        premises are served by a connection thereto. Such charges shall
        constitute a lien upon the property served by such connection and if
        not paid when due shall be collected in the same manner as other
        municipal corporation taxes. The legislative authority may change
        such rates or charges from time to time as is deemed advisable.

See also R.C. 729.50 (authorizing a “the director of public service [to] manage,

conduct, and control the sewerage system”).

                                         -11-
Case No. 13-21-09

       {¶16} In its judgment entry setting forth its findings of fact and conclusions

of law, the trial court concluded that “Ohio law permits [Attica], a municipal

corporation, to assess and collect water and sewer rents or charges * * * .” (Doc.

No. 29).

       {¶17} “Interpretation of a statute or ordinance is a matter of law, and thus,

the proper standard of review is de novo.” State ex rel. Osborne v. N. Canton, 5th

Dist. Stark No. 2018CA00132, 2019-Ohio-1744, ¶ 20, citing State v. Straley, 139

Ohio St.3d 339, 2014-Ohio-2139, ¶ 9. “The paramount concern is determining

legislative intent in enacting the statute.” Id., citing State ex rel. Steele v. Morrissey,

103 Ohio St.3d 355, 2004-Ohio-4960, ¶ 21. “To discern this intent by looking at

the language used in the statute [or ordinance] itself, we must read words and

phrases in context and construe them in accordance with rules of grammar and

common usage.” Id., citing State ex rel. Choices for S.W. City Schools v. Anthony,

108 Ohio St.3d 1, 2005-Ohio-5362, ¶ 40. See also Vossman v. AirNet Sys., Inc., 159

Ohio St.3d 529, 2020-Ohio-872, ¶ 14 (“Generally, we read undefined terms as

having their plain and ordinary meaning.”); R.C. 1.42. “‘[I]f such intent is clearly

expressed therein, the statute may not be restricted, constricted, qualified, narrowed,

enlarged or abridged.’” Osborne at ¶ 20, citing State ex rel. McGraw v. Gorman,

17 Ohio St.3d 147, 149 (1985). “In other words, if the meaning is unambiguous and

definite, then the statute [or ordinance] is to be applied as written and needs no

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Case No. 13-21-09

further interpretation.” Id., citing State ex rel. Herman v. Klopfleisch, 72 Ohio St.3d

581, 584 (1995).

       {¶18} However, “[w]hen the language of [a statute or] ordinance is

ambiguous, a court may then consider rules of construction to determine legislative

intent.” Marietta v. Bd. of Trustees for Washington Cty. Woman’s Home, 4th Dist.

Washington No. 19CA23, 2020-Ohio-5144, ¶ 42, citing Turner v. Hooks, 152 Ohio

St.3d 559, 2018-Ohio-556, ¶ 10 and Symmes Twp. Bd. of Trustees v. Smyth, 87 Ohio

St.3d 549, 553 (2000). A statute or ordinance is ambiguous if it contains language

which is susceptible subject to various interpretations. State ex rel. Osting v. Sidney,

3d Dist. Shelby No. 17-2000-21, 2001 WL 272521, *4 (Mar. 20, 2001); State ex rel.

Harson Invests., Ltd. v. Troy, Ohio, 2d Dist. Miami No. 2017-CA-22, 2018-Ohio-

2748, ¶ 54. “R.C. 1.49 lists several factors that a court may consider when

determining the legislative intent of an ambiguous statute.” Omran v. Lucas, 7th

Dist. Mahoning No. 21 MA 0031, 2021-Ohio-4592, ¶ 55. See also Harson Invests.,

Ltd. at ¶ 54 (“The standard rules of construction are also applied to ordinances.”),

citing Gesler v. Worthington Income Tax Bd. of Appeals, 138 Ohio St.3d 76, 2013-

Ohio-4986, ¶ 12 and Bosher v. Euclid Income Tax Bd. of Rev., 99 Ohio St.3d 330,

2003-Ohio-3886, ¶ 14.

       {¶19} R.C. 735.29 and 743.04(A) unambiguously and definitely authorize

Attica to manage, conduct, and control its waterworks (or other similar public

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Case No. 13-21-09

utilities), which this court previously concluded includes sewer services. See Alt,

2018-Ohio-2346, at ¶ 17. Furthermore, R.C. 735.29, and 743.04(A) unambiguously

and definitely authorize Attica to assess a water (or utility) charge of a sufficient

amount and in manner it determines to be equitable for the purpose of managing the

village’s waterworks.       Likewise, R.C. 729.50 unambiguously and definitely

authorizes Attica to manage, conduct, and control its sewerage system, and R.C.

729.49 unambiguously and definitely authorizes Attica to assess a just and equitable

sewer rate.

          {¶20} Consequently, Attica adopted ordinance 2009-50 on January 28, 2010

in which it established the village’s water and sewer and rate schedule. (Defendant’s

Ex. A). The ordinance sets forth the water and sewer rates, including a “flat rate of

$64.14 per month for ‘Sewer Nonmetered,’” applicable to residences within the

village “that do not use Attica water.” (Appellee’s Brief at 8). (See also Plaintiff’s

Ex. 3).

          {¶21} Nevertheless, the Stanfields contend that ordinance 2009-50 is invalid

because the Revised Code makes “no provision for ‘flat rates or ‘Debt Retirement

Flat Rates’ that are unrelated to volume usage.” (Appellant’s Brief at 11). However,

based on our conclusion that R.C. 729.49, 729.50, 735.29, and 743.04(A)

unambiguously and definitely authorize Attica to assess a sufficient rate (flat or

metered) to manage, conduct, and control its water and sewer system, we conclude

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Case No. 13-21-09

that the Stanfields’ argument is without merit. See Huber v. Denger, 38 Ohio St.3d

162, 164-165 (1988) (holding that “R.C. Chapter 6117 authorizes a board of county

commissioners to allocate the cost of a facility serving a portion of a sewer district

among all residents of the district” because the statute provides only that the rates

should be sufficient to pay the cost of operation and maintenance of improvements

and ‘[t]here is no prohibition regarding the use of additional assessments to retire

capital debt”). See also Gatton v. Mansfield, 67 Ohio App. 210, 212 (5th Dist.1940)

(concluding “that the sewer rental is based upon the amount of water used, the

operation of the sewerage system is dependent upon the water supply, and the water

and sewer service may be rightfully considered as one transaction”); 1959 Ohio

Atty.Gen.Ops. No. 1959-0706 at 420-421.

       {¶22} Furthermore, to the extent that the Stanfields contend that the amount

of the flat rate “is punitive and discriminatory” as applied to them, we are not

persuaded by their argument. (Appellant’s Brief at 12). Again, Attica is statutorily

authorized to assess a rate that it determines to be sufficient to manage, conduct, and

control its water and sewer system. Therefore, Attica was permitted to establish a

new rate schedule if it determined that a higher rate was necessary to sufficiently

manage, conduct, and control its water and sewer system.

       {¶23} Indeed, accepting the trial court’s finding that the “Stanfields’ claim

of disparate treatment was negated by testimony that they were not being treated

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Case No. 13-21-09

differently than others similarly situated” is correct and supported by the evidence

(as we are required to do), we cannot say that the flat rate is punitive or

discriminatory as the Stanfields allege. See 1949 Ohio Atty.Gen.Ops. 1949-1280.

See also Cahill v. Lewisburg, 79 Ohio App.3d 109, 115 (12th Dist.1992). To

illustrate, in response to the Stanfields’ interrogatories, Attica explained that the flat

rate charge of $64.14 established in ordinance 2009-50 “was originally determined

based on the average water usage of a home/household in [Attica] at the time the

rate was adopted by [Attica].” (Plaintiff’s Ex. 18). Furthermore, Attica answered

that “[e]very water customer is also charged a Capital Debt Retirement Flat Rate of

$17.25 each month. This goes to a fund for capital improvements and projects to

the sewer utility system.” (Emphasis added.) (Id.). See Kubicki v. N. Royalton, 139

Ohio app.3d 127, 132 (8th Dist.2000) (“Money from assessments can be used to

retire sewer system indebtedness.”), citing R.C. 729.52.

       {¶24} Finally, the Stanfields argue (based on their argument that Ordinance

2009-50 is invalid) that that Attica’s certifications to the Seneca County Auditor of

their unpaid sewer assessments are erroneous. However, based on our conclusion

that ordinance 2009-50 is not invalid, the Stanfields’ argument is without merit.

       {¶25} Similarly, the Stanfields contend under their fourth assignment of

error that Attica was without authority to “compound[] penalties and late fees at 10

percent per month * * * .” (Appellant’s Brief at 13). For the same reason that Attica

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Case No. 13-21-09

is statutorily authorized to assess a sufficient rate to manage, conduct, and control

its water and sewer system, Attica is statutorily authorized to asses a penalty for

rents or charges that are not paid when due. See R.C. 735.29; 743.04(A)(1)(a). See

also Twin Lakes Resorts, Inc. v. Thousand Adventures of Ohio, Inc., 3d Dist.

Auglaize No. 2-97-16, 1997 WL 791523, *2-3 (Dec. 18, 1997); R.C. 729.40.

       {¶26} Here, Attica adopted ordinance 95-04 on July 27, 1995 in which it

established the village’s water bill payment schedule. (Plaintiff’s Ex. 9). The

ordinance sets forth the penalty for rents or charges that are not paid when due and

provides a “[t]en percent (10%) penalty assessed on delinquent portion of water

billing” which is assessed on the “23’rd” of the month. (Id.). The Stanfields protest

Attica’s application of ordinance 95-04 by “compounding the cumulative unpaid

balances at 10 percent per month, resulting in massive accelerating penalties.”

(Appellant’s Brief at 8). Attica disagrees and argues that “[p]enalities for non-

payment of utility bills are authorized by ordinance and statute” and that “[n]o

evidence was presented that the rents, charges or penalties were unreasonable or

inequitable.” (Appellee’s Brief at 11).

       {¶27} We agree with the Stanfields that the text of ordinance 95-04 does not

support compounding the cumulative unpaid water and sewer assessment each

month (including the previous months’ penalties) with the ten-percent penalty.

Rather, the clear and unambiguous language of the ordinance states that the ten-

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Case No. 13-21-09

percent penalty will be assessed on the delinquent portion of the water billing—that

is, the language of the ordinance makes no mention of compounding penalties.

Stated differently, the ordinance does not authorize the ten-percent penalty to be

assessed on any penalty-portion of a water bill.

       {¶28} Moreover, to the extent that the Stanfields contend that the

certifications submitted by Attica to the Seneca County Auditor are “invalid,” that

argument is barred by the doctrine of res judicata. Under the doctrine of res judicata,

“[a] valid, final judgment rendered upon the merits bars all subsequent actions based

upon any claim arising out of the transaction or occurrence that was the subject

matter of the previous action.” Grava v. Parkman Twp., 73 Ohio St.3d 379 (1995),

syllabus. In a previous case involving the Stanfields, this court addressed the

Stanfields’ “question whether [Attica] and the Seneca County Auditor properly

certified the sewer assessment delinquencies to the Seneca County Treasurer and

whether [Attica] used the proper procedures regarding the certifications that created

[a] lien” on their real property. Alt, 2018-Ohio-2346, ¶ 12. We determined “that

the certifications in question were proper * * * .” Id. at ¶ 18. Consequently, the

Stanfields’ argument here arises from the same “nucleus of facts that was the subject

matter” of the prior case. Grava at 353. Therefore, their argument is barred by the

doctrine of res judicata.

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Case No. 13-21-09

       {¶29} Based on the foregoing reasons, the Stanfields’ fourth assignment of

error is sustained, and their first, second, third, fifth, sixth, and seventh assignments

of error are overruled.

       {¶30} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant herein in the

particulars assigned and argued in assignments of error one, two, three, five, six,

and seven we affirm the judgment of the trial court. Having found error prejudicial

to the appellant herein in the particulars assigned and argued in assignment of error

four, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand for further proceedings

consistent with this opinion.

                                                          Judgment Affirmed in Part,
                                                               Reversed in Part and
                                                                   Cause Remanded

SHAW and WILLAMOWSKI, J.J., concur.

/jlr

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