[Adopted 9-14-2020 by Ord. No. 837 amended in its entirety 2-28-2022 by Ord. No. 846]
The Township hereby approves the following fee schedule for
the collection of delinquent and overdue accounts, which fees shall
be added to the accounts:
A. Legal
fees.
Legal Services
|
Fee
|
---|
Initial review and sending first legal demand letter
|
$175
|
File lien and prepare satisfaction
|
$250
|
Prepare writ of scire facias
|
$250
|
Prepare and mail letter under Pa. R.C.P. 237.1
|
$50
|
Prepare default judgment
|
$175
|
Research, prepare and obtain reissued writ
|
$175
|
Prepare praecipe to amend
|
$100
|
Prepare motion to amend
|
$150
|
Present motion to amend
|
$50
|
Obtain vehicle identification number (VIN) for mobile home
|
$100
|
Prepare motion for alternate service
|
$250
|
Present motion for alternate service
|
$50
|
Prepare motion to consolidate claims
|
$250
|
Present motion to consolidate claims
|
$50
|
Prepare motion to add United States as defendant
|
$175
|
Present motion to add United States as defendant
|
$50
|
Prepare writ of execution
|
$800
|
Attendance at sale; review schedule of distribution and resolve
distribution issues
|
$400
|
Prepare motion to continue sheriff sale
|
$50
|
Present motion to continue sheriff sale
|
$50
|
Prepare petition for free and clear sale
|
$400
|
Present petition for free and clear sale
|
$50
|
Services not covered above
|
$75 to $275 per hour
|
B. Collection
fees.
Legal Services
|
Fee
|
---|
Notice of delinquent claims and fee shifting, per notice, plus
applicable postage
|
$40
|
Validation notice, per notice
|
$15
|
Bookkeeping fee for payment plan of 3 months or less
|
$25
|
Bookkeeping fee for payment plan of more than 3 months
|
$50
|
Handling fee for returned check
|
$25
|
In addition to the fees set forth in §
8-1, the reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket charges, costs, expenses, commissions and fees incurred in the collection of the delinquent and overdue accounts, including, but not limited to, postage, title searches, VIN searches, prothonotary fees and charges, and sheriff fees and charges, shall be added to the accounts.
Any attorney or private collector collecting the delinquent
and overdue accounts may accept payment of the accounts by credit
card or debit card. When payment is made by credit card or debit card,
any fees charged by the credit card company, debit card company, credit
card servicing agent, or debit card servicing agent shall be charged
immediately to the credit card or debit card used to make the payment.
This applies to credit card or debit card payments made by mail, telephone,
over the internet, or in person.
Interest will be assessed upon delinquent and overdue accounts
at a rate of 10% per annum and added to the accounts.
The following collection procedures are hereby established:
A. At
least 30 days prior to assessing or imposing attorneys' fees
in connection with the collection of a delinquent and overdue account,
the Township or its designee shall mail or cause to be mailed, by
certified mail, return receipt requested, a notice of such intention
to the property owner or other entities liable for the account.
B. If
the certified mail notice is undelivered, then at least 10 days prior
to assessing or imposing such attorneys' fees, the Township or
its designees shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail,
a second notice to the property owner or other entities liable for
the account.
C. All
notices required by this section shall by mailed to the last known
post office address as recorded in the records or other information
of the Township or such address obtained by the Township from the
County Tax Assessment Office.
D. Each
notice shall include the following:
(1) The type of municipal claim or other charge, the year that it became
due and the amount owed, including penalty and interest;
(2) A statement of the Township's intent to impose or assess attorneys'
fees no earlier than 30 days after receipt of the first notice, or
no earlier than 10 days after the receipt of the second notice;
(3) The manner in which the imposition or assessment of attorneys'
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 Township's representative designated as responsible for
collection matters.
The officials of the Township are hereby authorized and empowered
to take additional action as they may deem necessary or appropriate
to implement the provisions of this article.