1905.21 EXPENSES RECOVERABLE.

   (a)    Any expenses incurred by the City as a result of violations of the Housing or Property Maintenance Codes shall be paid by the owner or operator of the affected property, or by the person who caused or maintained the subject violations, plus fees and administrative costs in the amount of twenty-five (25%) percent of the total expenses incurred.

   (b)   The City Manager, and/or his or her designee, shall file among the records an affidavit stating, with fairness and accuracy, the items of expense and the date of execution of the actions authorized by sections of the Housing or Property Maintenance Codes.

   (c)    The City Manager, and/or his or her designee, may:

      (1)   Issue a complaint to the Director of Law pursuant to Section 1905.27 for collection of the expenses and costs incurred as a result of violations of the Housing or Property Maintenance Codes; or

            (2)    To the extent permitted by law, make a written return to the county auditor of the action taken as a result of violations of the Housing or Property Maintenance Codes, with a statement of the expenses incurred by the City and the administrative costs, and a proper description of the property. Such amounts, when allowed, shall be entered upon the tax duplicate, shall be a lien upon such property from the date of the entry, and shall be collected as other taxes and returned to the City with the general fund.  

   (d)   Except with respect to a lien imposed for expenses incurred in demolition, nothing herein shall be construed as placing a lien upon the property that supersedes the lien of any mortgage on such property executed and recorded prior to the existence of a lien herein authorized. (Ord. 2022-4-26. Passed 4-13-22; Ord. 2023-9-82. Passed 9-27-23.)