All open burn permits shall require a nonrefundable application fee in an amount to be set by NAFRS from time to time by resolution, which shall be paid to NAFRS at the time of application for such permit. Any person who starts or allows any open burning on any property in the city without first having obtained a permit as provided in this section shall also incur and shall pay a penalty in the amount of two times the then-effective permit application fee in addition to the cost for NAFRS to respond to the fire in an amount to be set by NAFRS from time to time by resolution. Persons billed by NAFRS for fire service resulting from a permit violation under this section shall have 30 days to pay the invoiced amount from the date of the invoice. If the fire service charge is not paid by that time, it will be considered delinquent and NAFRS shall mail a notice of delinquency to the fire service recipient. If the fire service charges remain unpaid for 30 days after the date of the notice of delinquency, NAFRS will use all practical and reasonable legal means to collect the fire service charges. The person who received fire services shall be liable for all collection costs incurred by NAFRS including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney fees and court costs. If the fire service charges remain unpaid for 30 days after the date of the notice of delinquency, NAFRS may submit the delinquent charges to the city Finance Director on or before August 15 of each year in order that the same may be brought to the City Council for consideration of certifying the unpaid fire service charges to the County Auditor in the county in which the recipient of the services owns real property for collection in like manner with property taxes. The County Auditor is responsible for remitting to the city all charges collected on behalf of the city under this section. The city must give the property owner notice of its intent to certify the unpaid fire service charges to taxes prior to the same being heard by the City Council. Unpaid charges received by the city from the County Auditor following certification shall be remitted to NAFRS less the city's costs of certification.
(Ord. 2023-02, passed 3-27-2023)