[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Marcus Hook 2-4-2013 by Ord. No. O-13-2,[1] approved 2-4-2013. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided the following saving clause: "Nothing in this Ordinance hereby adopted shall be construed to effect any other suit or proceeding pending in any court or any rights acquired or liability incurred, or any cause or causes of action acquired or existing, nor shall any just legal right or remedy of any character be lost, impaired or affected by this Ordinance."
Any administrative fee and all costs incurred in mailing a notice of delinquency, not to exceed $50, shall be added to the unpaid claim.
Interest will be assessed upon all delinquent unpaid municipal claims and taxes at a rate of 10% per annum and added to the unpaid claim.
A. 
The Borough of Marcus Hook hereby approves the following fee schedule to compensate its attorneys for the collection of unpaid claims, which fees shall be added to the unpaid claim:
Legal Service
Fee
Initial review and sending first demand letter
$30
File lien and mail second demand letter
$100
Prepare writ of scire facias
$75
Obtain reissued writ
$30
Prepare and mail letter under Pa.R.C.P. § 237.1
$75
Prepare motion for alternate service
$125
Prepare default judgment
$175
Prepare writ of execution
$200
Attendance at sale; review schedule of distribution and resolve distribution issues
$350
Continue sheriff sale
$50
Petition to assess damages
$50
Petition for free and clear sale
$300
Prepare bankruptcy proof of claim
$100
Handling fee for returned check
$30
Handling fee to issue refund check
$20
Bookkeeping fee for payment plan of more than three payments
$50
Services not covered above
At an hourly rate between $60 and $225 per hour
B. 
The amounts of fees determined as set forth above are fair and reasonable for the services to be provided and shall be added to the Borough of Marcus Hook's claim in each account.
C. 
There shall be, added to the above amounts the reasonable out-of-pocket charges, costs, expenses, commissions and fees, such as, but not limited to, postage, title searches, prothonotary fees and sheriff fees.
D. 
The amount of charges, expenses, commissions and fees determined as set forth above shall be added to the Borough of Marcus Hook's claim in each account.
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 Marcus Hook 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 Borough of Marcus Hook 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 Marcus Hook, 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 Marcus Hook'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 Marcus Hook 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 Marcus Hook are hereby authorized and empowered to take such additional action as they may deem necessary or appropriate to implement this chapter.
The fee schedule may be further amended from time to time by a duly enacted resolution of Borough Council.