[Adopted 2-10-2004 by Ord. No. 1426 (Ch. 24, Part 7, of the 2006 Code of Ordinances)]
This article shall be known as the "Municipal Claim and Tax Collection Ordinance."
Hereinafter, for every delinquent claim, charge, tax, assessment, levy or obligation owed to the Borough of Greenville, there shall be added to such claim, charge, tax, assessment, levy or obligation such attorney's fees, charges and expenses incurred in the collection process subsequent to proper notification to taxpayers of the intent to impose attorney's fees on delinquent obligations. Such additional charges shall be collected in addition to such interest and penalties as are allowed by law. They shall further be collected in the same manner and with the full authority as other municipal claims of any nature, and shall be deemed to be a municipal claim and collectable and lienable as such.
A. 
Such fees shall be reasonable and the same are hereby established in a fee rate as attached hereto and made a part hereof as Schedule A.[1] Said schedule of fees is hereby deemed to be reasonable, fair and necessary in order to allow the Borough to collect such sums due it. This schedule may be amended by ordinance.
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule A is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B. 
Any person or entity empowered to collect sums on behalf of the Borough is directed to add such fees as are incurred to the extent allowed and set forth on Schedule A. Such sums collected pursuant to this article shall be in addition to any tax, penalty, interest, costs or fees already part of the delinquent account or assessment.
C. 
Attorney fees incurred to the extent set forth on Schedule A shall be added to all unpaid real estate tax claims of any nature arising or imposed subsequent to the date of adoption of this article, or which become delinquent or are re-determined to be delinquent subsequent to this date. Prior to the time when such fees are added to any underlying claim, the Tax Collector shall first give the taxpayer such notice as required by law. The Tax Collector or other collector shall so notify the taxpayer by sending such notice to the taxpayer's last known address by mailing notices in the manner prescribed by the Act of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, known as Act 20 of 2003.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 7101 et seq.
[Added 2-14-2006 by Ord. No. 1451]
Any administrative fee and all costs incurred in mailing a notice of delinquency, not to exceed $50, shall be added to the unpaid claim.
[Added 2-14-2006 by Ord. No. 1451]
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.
[Added 2-14-2006 by Ord. No. 1451]
A. 
Greenville Borough 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.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: This fee schedule is included as an attachment to this chapter as Schedule B.
B. 
The amount of fees determined as set forth above are fair and reasonable for the services to be provided and shall be added to the Greenville Borough'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 Greenville Borough's claim in each account.
[Added 2-14-2006 by Ord. No. 1451]
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, Greenville Borough 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, Greenville Borough 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 Greenville Borough, 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 Greenville Borough'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 Greenville Borough representative designated as responsible for collection matters.
[Added 2-14-2006 by Ord. No. 1451]
The proper officials of the Greenville Borough are hereby authorized and empowered to take such additional action as they may deem necessary or appropriate to implement this article.
[Added 2-14-2006 by Ord. No. 1451]
Portnoff Law Associates, Ltd., is hereby retained for the collection of delinquent real estate taxes in accordance with the fee schedule set forth in this article and with the contract entered into with the Borough of Greenville incorporated by reference herein.