(A) Pursuant to the Municipal Claims Act, being 53 P.S. § 7101, the township hereby adopts the following schedule of attorney’s fees in connection with the collection of municipal claims and municipal liens as follows.
Municipal Claims and Liens
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For issuance of the 30-day certified mail notice letter | $100 |
For preparation and filing of the municipal lien | $250 |
For any additional work required | $120 per hour |
All above sums shall be additive The specific dollar amounts set forth above may be amended from time to time by resolution of the Township Supervisors | |
(B) Pursuant to the Municipal Claims Act, the township hereby sets the interest rate applicable to all municipal claims and municipal liens at a rate of 10%.
(C) The amount of fees determined, as set forth above, is fair and reasonable for the services to be provided and shall be added to the township’s claim in each account.
(D) The reasonable out-of-pocket charges, costs, expenses, commissions, and fees, such as, but not limited to, postage, title searches, prothonotary fees, and Sheriff fees shall be added to the above amounts.
(E) The current fees for liens previously filed (which fees are set forth in the repealed ordinances and resolutions) are hereby reaffirmed and shall remain in effect for those liens filed prior to the effective date of this section.
(F) The following collection procedures are hereby established in accordance with the Municipal Claims Act.
(1) At least 30 days prior to assessing or imposing attorney’s fees in connection with the collection of an account, the township or its designee shall mail or cause to be mailed, by certified mail, return receipt requested, a notice of such intention to the taxpayer or other entity liable for the account (the property owner).
(2) If the certified mail notice is undelivered, then, at least ten days prior to the assessing or imposing such attorney’s fees, the township or its designee shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a second notice to the property owner.
(3) All notices required by this division (F) shall be mailed to the property owner’s last known post office address as recorded in the records or other information of the township, or such other address as it may be able to obtain from the County Office of Tax Assessment.
(4) Each notice as described above shall include the following:
(a) The type of tax or other charge, the date it became due, and the amount owed, including penalty and interest;
(b) A statement of the township’s intent to impose or assess attorney’s fees within 30 days after the mailing of the first notice, or within ten days after the mailing of the second notice;
(c) The manner in which the assessment or imposition of attorney’s fees may be avoided by payment of the account; and
(d) The place of payment for accounts and the name and telephone number of the township’s representative designated as responsible for collection matters.
(Ord. 2014-03, passed 10-28-2014)