915.03 FAILURE TO COMPLY; LIEN UPON PROPERTY.

   (a)    If the owner, lessee, agent or tenant having charge of, or responsibility for, the maintenance of the lots or lands fails to comply with the written notice, the City shall thereupon cause the noxious weeds, grasses or vegetation to be cut and removed by use of City forces and equipment or by hiring private contractors. All expenses of labor and costs incurred shall, when approved by the Director, be paid out of municipal funds not otherwise appropriated.

   (b)    Upon completion of the cutting and removal of noxious weeds, grasses and vegetation, the Bureau of Buildings, Inspections, Licenses and Permits shall determine the cost of cutting, removal, administrative expenses, and shall cause a statement thereof to be mailed by means of certified mail or personal delivery to the owner of the land at his address of record in the office of the County Treasurer. Such statement of cost shall include:

      (1)    City equipment charge;

      (2)    City equipment operator charge;

      (3)    Equipment transportation charge;

      (4)    Administration and supervision charge;

      (5)   Removal cost (i.e. solid waste district or dump fees);

      (6)    Incidental labor.

   The minimum fee to be charged shall in no case be less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) for the first hour or portion thereof and fifty dollars ($50.00) per employee per hour for each additional hour or prorated portion thereof. This amount is exclusive of any removal cost incurred in carrying out such action. Administration charges shall toll and accrue upon issuance of the order to commence the services described in subsection (a) hereof.

   (c)    The owner shall pay such costs as are charged in accordance with this chapter to the Finance Director within thirty (30) days after the statement of charges has been mailed or delivered to the owner at the address of record in the office of the County Treasurer. Such payments shall be credited to the appropriation from which such cost was paid by the City. If the charge is not paid within 30 days after mailing, the City shall cause the charges for services as provided in subsection (b), to be certified to the County Auditor, together with a proper description of the premises. Such amounts shall be entered upon the tax duplicate, shall be a lien upon such lands from the date of the entry, and shall be collected as other taxes and returned to the City with the General Fund pursuant to Ohio R.C. 731.54. The recovery of its costs by the City pursuant to this section is a remedy in addition to the penalty provided in Section 915.99 . (Ord. 24-047. Passed 4-16-24.)