[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.