[Amended 5-13-2002 by Ord. No. 7-2002]
A. The City hereby approves the following schedule of attorney fees for services in connection with the collection of delinquent property tax accounts. Said schedule is determined to be fair and reasonable compensation for services set forth, all in accordance with principles set forth in § 3 of the Municipal Claims Law:
1
Schedule of Fees | |
Legal Services | Fee for Services |
Schedule of Fees | |
Legal Services | Fee for Services |
Process and notice of delinquency | $35 |
Initial review and sending first demand letter | $160 |
Filing and mailing second demand letter | $50 |
Filing lien | $175 |
Title search | $250 |
Preparation and service of writ of scire facias | $175 |
Notice of intention to file judgment for want of an answer | $30 |
Alternative service of legal pleadings | $250 |
Entry of judgment | $175 |
Preparation of writ of execution and attend initial sheriff sale | $800 |
Preparation of document and attendance at second sheriff sale | $600 |
Review schedule of distribution and resolve distribution issues | $250 |
Services not covered above | $150 per hour, attorney $75 per hour, paralegals |
B. There shall be added to the above amounts the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of counsel in connection with each of these services, including sheriff's and prothonotary's costs.
C. The amount of fees determined, as set forth above, shall be added to the City's claim in each account.
D. The following collection procedures are hereby established in accordance with 53 P.S. § 7106:2
(1) At least 30 days prior to assessing or imposing attorney fees in connection with the collection of an account, City 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 "Account Debtor").
(2) If the certified mail notice is undeliverable, then, at least 10 days prior to the assessing or imposing such attorney fees, the City shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a second notice to such Account Debtor.
(3) All notices required by this Part shall be mailed to the Account Debtor's last known post office address as recorded in the records or other information of the City, or such other address as it may be able to obtain from the Berks County Office of 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 City's intent to impose or assess attorney fees within 30 days after the mailing of the first notice, or within 10 days after the mailing of the second notice.
(c) The manner in which the assessment or imposition of attorney fees may be avoided by payment of the account.
(d) The place of payment for accounts and the name and telephone number of the City representative designated as responsible for collection matters.
1. Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 7103.
2. Editor's Note: Amended during codification (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Part 2).