[Adopted 2-2-2009 by Ord. No. 121]
As authorized by the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act (53
P.S. § 7101 et seq., as may be hereafter amended), in the
case that any municipal claim, municipal lien, tax or tax claim in
favor of the Township shall become delinquent, all of the charges,
expenses and fees incurred in the collection of such a delinquent
account, including reasonable attorneys fees as set forth herein,
shall be added to the said lien on the subject property for failure
to pay promptly.
The attorneys fees to be charged hereunder shall be such reasonable
fees and charges as are sufficient to compensate the attorneys undertaking
collection and representation of the Township, or its assignee, in
any actions involving a municipal claim, municipal lien, tax or tax
claim. Such fees shall be based on the following:
A. The time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions
involved and the skill requisite to properly undertake collection
and representation of the Township in such actions.
B. The customary charges of members of the bar for similar services.
In the case that the Solicitor shall be the attorney, the rate of
compensation shall not necessarily be limited to the hourly fee that
is charged to the Township by the Solicitor for general representation,
but shall be the customary charge for such services.
C. The amount of the delinquent account collected and the benefit to
the Township from the attorney's services.
D. The contingency or the certainty of the compensation.
E. A maximum hourly rate for attorneys of $225 per hour, and a maximum
hourly rate for paralegals or other professionals assisting the attorney
of $125 per hour.
Other fees and expenses to be charged against the property under
this article shall include but not be limited to:
A. Costs of service of process.
B. Costs of record keeping and accounting necessary to determine the
amount of the fees to be charged.
C. Costs of execution on the lien.
D. Filing fees, sheriff's fees and costs, recording fees and other
such fees.