[Adopted 6-14-2004 by Ord. No. 162]
This article shall apply to all municipal claims, municipal
liens, taxes, tax claims and tax liens allowed and authorized by law
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be assessed by the Borough
of Mount Gretna, including, but not limited to, liens for taxes and
for municipal improvements, for the removal of nuisances, for water
rents or rates, sewage rates, lighting rates and power rates to the
fullest extent authorized by law (hereinafter referred to as "delinquent
accounts"), whether heretofore or hereafter assessed or filed.
The following schedule of attorney's fees is to be utilized
and followed in the assessment of attorney's fees in the collection
of any delinquent account and the corresponding fees shall be added
to and included in the collection of the same at the time of the filing
of the municipal claim, municipal liens, taxes, tax claims, and tax
liens by or for the Borough of Mount Gretna or as soon as thereafter
as may be convenient or proper at the rate of $150 per hour.
Prior to assessing or imposing attorney's fees in connection
with a delinquent account, the Borough of Mount Gretna shall provide
notice of the Borough's intention to assess or impose attorney's
fees in connection with this article as may be required by the Municipal
Claims Act as amended or supplemented.
In all proceedings where a municipal claim is filed as a lien
against real property for delinquent accounts which are the subject
of this article, interest equal to 10% per annum shall be assessed
and accrued on the claim; provided, however, that if a municipal claim
is filed arising out of a municipal project which required the Borough
to assess bonds to finance the project, interest shall accrue and
be collectible on such claim at the rate of interest of the bond issue
or at the rate of 12% per annum, whichever is less. No notice prior
to the assessment or imposition of interest as set forth herein shall
be required. Such interest shall be added to the delinquent account
and collected therewith.
In all proceedings where a municipal claim, municipal lien,
tax, tax claim and tax liens are filed as a lien against real property
for delinquent accounts which are the subject of this article, a penalty
equal to 10% of the delinquent account shall be added to the municipal
claim, municipal lien, tax, tax claims, and tax liens when the delinquent
account remains unpaid for 30 days after the assessment shall have
been levied or as soon thereafter as may be convenient or proper.
No notice to the assessment or the imposition of penalty set forth
herein shall be required.