§ 97.16  ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURE.
   (A)   The Building Inspector's Office shall be responsible for the enforcement of § 97.15.
   (B)   Any property owner who fails to remove weeds and other rank vegetation, as defined in § 97.15, shall be deemed in violation of § 97.15.
      (1)   Notice of violation by the Building Inspector's Office shall be sent, first class, by the U.S. Postal Service to the property owner's address shown on the records of the County Treasurer.
      (2)   One letter within a calendar year shall be deemed sufficient notice for each and every lot, parcel and lands owned by the offender within the corporate limits of this city, in case of the party's failure to comply with the terms of § 97.15.
   (C)   The city shall have the right to cut and remove weeds and rank vegetation, upon the property owner's failure to do so within seven days after the mailing of notice of violation.
   (D)   (1)   The Clerk-Treasurer shall issue a bill to the property owner at the address shown on the records of the County Treasurer, which bill shall include the administrative costs of $20 plus the actual removal costs incurred by the city, either by using its own employees or an independent contractor. 
      (2)   The actual removal costs are determined to the $100 or greater, as shown by the records of the Building Inspector's Office.
   (E)   (1)   In the event the property owner disputes a notice of violation under division (B) or a bill issued under division (D), such property owner may file a written appeal with the Board of Public Works and Safety for recession or adjustment of such notice or bill within 14 days after the date of such notice or bill. 
      (2)   Should the property owner fail to so appeal in writing within 14 days, the notice and/or bill shall be deemed final and no further appeal shall be permitted.
   (F)   (1)   If the property owner fails to pay a bill under division (D) within 30 days, the Building Inspector's Office shall certify to the County Auditor the amount of the bill plus an additional administrative cost of $20 incurred in the certification.
      (2)   The County Auditor shall place the total amount certified on the tax duplicate for the party affected, the total amount including any accrued interest shall be collected as delinquent taxes are collected, as shall be disbursed to the city’s general fund, as provided in IC 36-7-10.1-4.
(Ord. 2467, passed 9-7-82; Am. Ord. 3204, passed 8-2-99)