(A) When the Treasurer, acting on behalf of the city to protect public health, safety and welfare, and under the authority of Chapter 154, has determined that a property owner is in default in payment of a property maintenance fee imposed because the city carried out the responsibilities of a property owner under said Chapter 154, or a property owner is in default of an inspection fee imposed because the city carried out necessary inspections so as to provide a minimum level of health and safety, the Treasurer shall send to the property owner by certified mail, return receipt requested, a letter stating:
(1) The property maintenance fee or inspection fee is in default;
(2) The property maintenance fee or inspection fee is required to be paid by a date specified in the letter; and
(3) If the required payment is not made by that specified date, and if the city deems it to be the best course of action, a lien will be filed against the real property that is the recipient of the property maintenance services or inspection services for the amount of the delinquent property maintenance fee or inspection fee plus any legally authorized and applicable charges; provided, that the date specified for payment shall be no more than 90 days from the date the notice is mailed.
(B) If the property owner disagrees with the Treasurer’s determination, the property owner may appeal that determination to the Circuit Court of the county in which the property is located; provided, that the appeal shall be filed no later than 30 days after the date the Treasurer’s decision is rendered.
(C) Unless specifically stayed by the court, the lien herein authorized shall be filed on the date specified in the notice mailed to the property owner.
(D) All liens filed under the authority of this section shall run with the land, and if the property is transferred to another, the lien shall continue until the lien and all charges are paid in full.
(Ord. 09-13, passed 11-17-2009)