[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Media 6-17-2010 by Ord. No. 1073. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Taxation — See Ch. 267.
The Borough of Media 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 Section 7106 of the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act.[1] The Borough of Media may hire a private company to perform
this service and add the amount of this charge to the unpaid claim.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 7106.
C.
Legal fees.
(1)
Initial review and sending first demand letter: $160.
(2)
File lien and prepare satisfaction: $250.
(3)
Prepare writ of scire facias: $250.
(4)
Obtain reissued writ: $30.
(5)
Prepare and mail letter under Pa.R.C.P. No. 237.1: $30.
(6)
Prepare motion for alternate service: $175.
(7)
Prepare default judgment: $175.
(8)
Prepare writ of execution: $800.
(9)
Attendance at sale; review schedule of distribution and resolve distribution
issues: $400.
(10)
Continue sheriff sale: $50.
(11)
Petition to assess damages: $50.
(12)
Petition for free and clear sale: $400.
(13)
Prepare bankruptcy proof of claim: $100.
(14)
Services not covered above: At an hourly rate between $60 and
$225 per hour.
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 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.[1]
A.
At least 30 days prior to assessing or imposing attorney fees in
connection with the collection of an account, the Borough of Media
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 of such attorney fees, the Borough
of Media 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 chapter shall be mailed to the property
owner's last known post office address as recorded in the records
or other information of the Borough of Media 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 Borough of Media'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 Borough of Media's representative designated as responsible
for collection matters.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act,
53 P.S. § 7101 et seq.
The proper officials of the Borough of Media are hereby authorized
and empowered to take such additional action as they may deem necessary
or appropriate to implement this chapter.
The Borough of Media appoints Michelle R. Portnoff, Esquire,
as solicitor for the limited purpose of collecting delinquent municipal
claims and hereby authorizes her, and attorneys under her supervision,
to sign any and all documents, including municipal claims, on behalf
of the Borough of Media.
