(A) Whenever the city enters upon the premises and causes any work to be performed to abate a nuisance, or if the building or agricultural structure is not vacated, secured, repaired, removed or demolished, or if the occupants are not relocated within the allotted time, the city may take such action at its own expense, and a charge will be made to the property owner, agent or tenant to recover the costs associated with the abatement. The charge shall be the actual cost of abatement, plus applicable sales taxes.
(B)
An administrative fee in an amount set by City Council and maintained in the city's master fee schedule shall be assessed for a charge established by this section.
(C) If the actual charge and the administrative fee are not paid to the city within 30 days after billing, the city shall file a lien against the property. Said lien shall be filed in the deed records of the county. The charges shown on the lien shall bear interest at the rate of 8% per annum from the due date until paid. The lien shall be collected under the same terms and provisions of law as on city ad valorem taxes. The lien may be extinguished prior to foreclosure if the owner or other person having an interest in the legal title to the property reimburses the city for its expenses, interest and administrative fee(s). If the notice is given pursuant to § 150.37(F) of this subchapter and the opportunity to abate the nuisance or repair, remove or demolish the building or agricultural structure is afforded to each mortgagee or lienholder under said § 150.37(F), the lien is a privileged lien subordinate only to tax liens as authorized by the Texas Local Government Code § 214.001(o).
(Ord. 11012016-BUILDING, passed 11-1-2016; Ord. 05-19-2020-MASTER, passed 5-19-2020)