Any and all fees, charges, services, and other costs incurred
by the City to restrain, correct or abate a violation of this chapter,
or to prevent illegal occupancy of a building, structure or premises,
or to stop an illegal act, conduct, business or utilization of the
building, structure or premises in violation of this chapter, including
but not limited to attorneys' fees, surveying costs, and engineering
costs (the "violation costs"), shall be the responsibility of and
payable by the owner of the property on which the violation occurred
to the City of Havre de Grace (the "City") upon receipt of a written,
itemized invoice from the City for such costs. The invoice shall be
sent by hand delivery or by regular mail, certified mail, or by posting
on the property. A late charge equal to 1.5% per month shall be added
to any amount unpaid and outstanding 30 days after billing until the
outstanding amount is paid in full. Unless paid on time, the violation
costs and interest shall be placed on the said property owner's City
property tax bill. The said property owner shall pay all collection
costs, including the City's actual attorneys' fees, should the City
engage the services of any attorney to collect any such unpaid charges.
All violation costs, interest, and collection costs thereon shall
be chargeable against the property on which the violation occurred
and shall be collected and secured in the same manner as general ad
valorem taxes and shall be subject to the same penalties and the same
procedure, sale and lien priority in case of delinquency as is provided
for general ad valorem taxes. An administrative fee of $75 shall be
added to the lien for processing of the lien procedure.
