[Adopted 1-6-2011 by Ord. No. 300]
The Township hereby approves the following fee schedule for
the collection of unpaid claims, which fees shall be added to the
unpaid claim.
A. Notice expense. A charge, not to exceed $50, plus postage, shall
be added to the unpaid claim for providing notice of delinquency pursuant
to § 7106 of the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act. The
Township may hire a private company to perform this service and add
the amount of this charge to the unpaid claim.
B. Collection fees.
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Handling fee for returned check
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$25
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Handling fee to issue refund check
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$15
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Bookkeeping fee for payment plan of 3 months or less
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$25
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Bookkeeping fee for payment plan of more than 3 months
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$50
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Guaranteed payoff fee
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$25
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C. Legal fees.
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Initial review and sending first demand letter
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$160
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File lien and prepare satisfaction
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$250
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Prepare writ of scire facias
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$250
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Obtain reissued writ
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$30
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Prepare and mail letter under Pa. R.C.P. 237.1
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$30
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Prepare motion for alternate service
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$250
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Prepare request for production of documents in preparation for
trial
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$25
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Prepare pre-trial memorandum
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$150
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Prepare a motion for judgment for want of sufficient affidavit
of defense pursuant to 53 P.S. § 7271
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$150
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Prepare default judgment
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$175
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Prepare writ of execution
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$800
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Attendance at sale; review schedule of distribution and resolve
distribution issues
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$400
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Continue Sheriff sale
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$50
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Petition to assess damages
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$50
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Petition for free and clear sale
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$400
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Prepare bankruptcy proof of claim
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$100
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Services not covered above
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At an hourly rate between $60 and $225 per hour
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In addition, the reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket charges,
costs, expenses, commissions and fees incurred in collection, such
as but not limited to, postage, title searches, prothonotary fees
and sheriff fees, shall be added to the unpaid claims.
Interest will be assessed upon all delinquent unpaid real estate
taxes and municipal claims at a rate of 10% per annum and added to
the unpaid claim.
The following collection procedures are hereby established in
accordance with the Act:
A. At least 30 days prior to assessing or imposing attorney fees in
connection with the collection of an account, the Township or its
designee shall mail or cause to be mailed, by certified mail, return
receipt requested, a notice of such intention to the taxpayer or other
entity liable for the account (the "Property Owner").
B. If the certified mail notice is undelivered, then, at least 10 days
prior to the assessing or imposing such attorney fees, the Township
or its designee shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first-class mail,
a second notice to the property owner.
C. All notices required by this article shall be mailed to the property
owner's last known post office address as recorded in the records
or other information of the Township or such other address as it may
be able to obtain from the County Office of Assessment and Revision
of Taxes.
D. Each notice as described above shall include the following:
(1) The type of tax or other charge, the date it became due and the amount
owed, including penalty and interest;
(2) A statement of the Township's intent to impose or assess attorney
fees within 30 days after the mailing of the first notice, or within
10 days after the mailing of the second notice;
(3) The manner in which the assessment or imposition of attorney fees
may be avoided by payment of the account; and
(4) The place of payment for accounts and the name and telephone number
of the Township's representative designated as responsible for
collection matters.
The proper officials of the Township are hereby authorized and
empowered to take such additional action as they may deem necessary
or appropriate to implement this article.