(A) The city shall possess a lien on property owned by the person found by a final, nonappealable final order as defined herein, or by a final judgment of the court, to have committed a violation of a local government ordinance. The lien shall be for all civil fines assessed for the violation and for all charges and fees incurred by the local government in connection with the enforcement of the ordinance, including abatement costs, reasonable attorney fees and court costs. An affidavit of the Code Enforcement Officer shall constitute prima facie evidence of the amount of the lien and the regularity of the proceedings pursuant to KRS 65.8801 to 65.8839.
(B) The lien shall take precedence over all other subsequent liens, except state, county, school board, and city taxes; and shall continue for ten years following the date of the nonappealable final order, or final judgment of the court; and may be enforced by judicial proceedings, including an action to foreclose.
(C) In addition, to the remedies described hereinabove, the person found to have committed the violation shall be personally responsible for the amount of the lien, including all civil fines assessed for the violation and for all charges, fees, and abatement costs incurred by the City of Dawson Springs in connection with the enforcement of this chapter. The City of Dawson Springs may bring a civil action against the person and shall have the same remedies as provided for the recovery of a debt.
(Ord. 2016-02, passed 7-14-2016; Ord. 2023-04, passed 5-16-2023)