[Adopted 3-1-2006 by Ord. No. 1213]
[Amended 7-21-2010 by Ord. No. 1254]
Any administrative fee and all costs incurred in mailing a notice
of delinquency, not to exceed $50, shall be added to the unpaid claim
or tax.
[Amended 7-21-2010 by Ord. No. 1254]
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 or tax.
[Amended 7-21-2010 by Ord. No. 1254]
A. The Borough of Lansdowne hereby approves the following fee schedule
to compensate its attorneys for the collection of unpaid claims and
taxes, which fees shall be added to the unpaid claim or tax.
|
Legal Services
|
Fee For Services
|
---|
|
Initial review and sending first demand letter
|
$100
|
|
File lien and mail second demand letter
|
$235
|
|
Prepare writ of scire facias
|
$175
|
|
Obtain reissued writ
|
$30
|
|
Prepare and mail letter under Pa. R.C.P. § 237.1
|
$30
|
|
Prepare motion for alternate service
|
$175
|
|
Prepare default judgment
|
$175
|
|
Prepare writ of execution
|
$800
|
|
Attendance at sale; review schedule of distribution and resolve
distribution issues
|
$400
|
|
Continue sheriff sale
|
$50
|
|
Petition to assess damages
|
$50
|
|
Petition for free and clear sale
|
$400
|
|
Prepare bankruptcy proof of claim
|
$100
|
|
Handling fee for returned check
|
$30
|
|
Handling fee to issue refund check
|
$20
|
|
Bookkeeping fee for payment plan of more than three payments
|
$50
|
|
Services not covered above
|
At an hourly rate between $60 and $225 per hour
|
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 Borough
of Lansdowne's claim or tax 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 Borough of Lansdowne's
claim or tax in each account.
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, the Borough of Lansdowne
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, the Borough
of Lansdowne 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 Borough of Lansdowne, 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 Borough of Lansdowne'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 Borough of Lansdowne representative designated as responsible
for collection matters.
The proper officials of the Borough of Lansdowne are hereby
authorized and empowered to take such additional action as they may
deem necessary or appropriate to implement this article.