1. Abatement may include, but shall not be limited to, repair, removal, cleaning, extermination, cutting, mowing, grading, sewer repairs, draining, securing, repairing a building or structure, boarding unoccupied buildings, barricading or fencing, removing dangerous portions of buildings or structures and demolition of dangerous structures or abandoned buildings.
2. The cost of abatement may be assessed against the property for collection in the same manner as property taxes. Abatement costs shall include the cost of removing or eliminating the nuisance, the cost of investigation, such as title searches, inspection and testing; the cost of notification; filing costs; reasonable attorney fees and other related administrative costs. An administrative fee of $50.00 may be assessed by the enforcement officer for repeat or severe violations of this or the chapters listed in Section 50.03 of this Code of Ordinances. Inoperable and/or obsolete vehicles which have been impounded may be sold in accordance with State law. If an inoperable and/or obsolete vehicle is not sold or if the proceeds of such sale or redemption are not sufficient for payment of the cost of abatement, storage and sale of said inoperable and/or obsolete vehicle, such cost or the balance of such cost may be assessed against the property for collection in the same manner as a property tax.
3. The Clerk shall send a statement of the total expense incurred by certified mail to the property owner who has failed to abide by the notice to abate, and if the amount shown by the statement has not been paid within 30 days, the Clerk shall certify the costs to the County Treasurer and such costs shall then be collected with, and in the same manner, as general property taxes. If the amount expended to abate the nuisance or condition exceeds $100.00, the City shall permit the assessment to be paid in up to five annual installments, with a minimum annual payment of $50.00, to be paid in the same manner and with the same interest rates provided for assessments against benefited property under State law.
4. In a municipal infraction proceeding for the abatement of a nuisance, the court may order any one or more of the following:
A. Place a judgment against the person and/or property of the defendant for the costs of abatement.
B. Levy a civil penalty (fine) against the defendant of up to the maximum permitted by State law.
C. Order abatement of the nuisance in any manner as provided in this chapter.
D. Assess costs of abatement against the property for collection in the same manner as property taxes.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12[3h])