[Ord. 2000-1, 3/8/2000, § 1]
The Board of Supervisors hereby approves the Statement of Collection
Policies for delinquent unpaid taxes, user charges, and other items
covered by the Municipal Claims Act ("accounts"), or such other policies
and administrative statements as may be approved by the Board of Supervisors
for the Township of Douglass by ordinance from time to time.
[Ord. 2000-1, 3/8/2000, § 2]
1. The Board of Supervisors hereby approves the following schedule of
attorney fees for services in connection with the collection of accounts,
which is hereby determined to be fair and reasonable compensation
for the services set forth below, all in accordance with the principles
set forth in the Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law, as amended, 53
P.S. § 7101 et seq.:
Legal Service
|
Fee for Services
(Designated in time for service to be billed at approved
rates)
|
---|
Initial review and sending first demand letter
|
0.50 hours
|
Prepare and transmit second demand letter
|
0.30 hours
|
Prepare and file lien
|
0.75 hours
|
Prepare and file Writ of Scire Facias
|
0.50 hours
|
Obtain reissued Writ
|
0.33 hours
|
Prepare and mail letter under Pa.R.C.P. § 237.1
|
0.25 hours
|
Prepare motion for alternate service
|
0.50 hours
|
Prepare and file motion for summary judgment and related judgment
|
0.75 hours
|
Prepare and file Writ of execution
|
0.40 hours
|
Attendance at sale; review schedule of distribution and resolve
distribution issues
|
1.5 hours
|
Services not covered above
|
Hourly amount equal to Solicitor's regular charges to Township
|
2. There shall be added to the above amounts the reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses of counsel in connection with each of these services, as
itemized in the applicable counsel bills, which shall be deemed to
be part of the fees.
3. The amount of fees determined as set forth above shall be added to
the Township's claim in each account.
[Ord. 2000-1, 8/3/2000, § 3]
1. The following collection procedures are hereby established in accordance
with the Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law, 53 P.S. § 7101
et seq.:
A. At least 30 days prior to assessing or imposing attorney fees in
connection with the collection of an account, the Township 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 "account debtor").
B. If within 30 days after mailing the notice in accordance with paragraph
.A, the certified mail to any account debtor is refused or unclaimed
or the return receipt is not received, then at least 10 days prior
to the assessing or imposing such attorney fees, the Township shall
mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a second notice to
such account debtor.
C. All notices required by this Part shall be mailed to the account
debtor'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 Board of Assessment Appeals and/or
Recorder of Deeds Office.
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's
fees may be avoided by payment of the account.
(4)
The place of payment for accounts and the name and/or title
of the Township official designated to be responsible for collection
matters.
(5)
For the purpose of this Part and the implementation of attorney's
fees to be charged to such collection activities, the Solicitor's
hourly rate shall be the same as that would be otherwise chargeable
to the Township for other services rendered by the Solicitor and as
approved by the Board of Supervisors at their annual reorganization
meeting.
[Ord. 2000-1, 8/3/2000, § 4]
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 Part.