(A) Payment of fines. Prior to any assessment for unpaid fines, the city shall seek payment of the fines by notifying the owner of the property in writing of the fine imposed.
(B) Recovery of civil penalties.
(1) Nonpayment. If a civil penalty is not paid within the time specified, it will constitute:
(a) A lien on the real property upon which the violation occurred if the property or improvements on the property was the subject of the violation and the property owner was found responsible for that violation; or
(b) A personal obligation of the violator in all other situations.
(2) Lien. A lien may be assessed against the property and collected in the same manner as taxes.
(3) Personal obligation. A personal obligation may be collected by appropriate legal means.
(4) Late fees/charges.
(a) If, after seven days, the fine has not been paid or a hearing requested, the fine will increase by 10% for each seven days thereafter for one month. After four weeks and four late fee charges have been added to the original fine, the total bill will be assessed to the property taxes and all city licenses will be revoked. For continued violations, the city will correct the violation and assess the charges for doing so onto the property taxes or criminal charges may be filed.
(b) If the same property and property owner are charged with a subsequent violation within a 12-month period for the same, or substantially similar offense, the fine will be increased by 25%. After a third infraction in a 12-month period, the fine will increase by 50%, and after a fourth infraction by 100%.
(5) License revocation or suspension. Failure to pay a fine is grounds for suspending or revoking a license related to the violation.
(Ord. O-18-13, passed 6-11-2018)