(a) Collection recovery costs incurred by the Fire Department, including billing and collection costs, court costs, and attorney fees, shall be assessed to a responsible party who fails to remit reimbursement for the expenses of the emergency services or a hazardous materials response in accordance with the billing procedures of this chapter.
(b) Upon determination of responsibility for an emergency response or a hazardous materials response, the Fire Chief, or the Fire Chief's designee, shall prepare and deliver an invoice of the charges imposed to the responsible party or parties for payment. The responsible party shall reimburse the Fire Department, as directed by the invoice, for the charges set forth in the invoice within 30 days. The responsible party shall be liable for any costs associated with the collection of the unpaid balance that remains after the expiration of 30 days.
(c) If the responsible party refuses to reimburse the city for costs and damages as provided in this chapter, the City shall have a lien for all unpaid costs and damages incurred by the City as above-described, and may enforce such lien in the manner prescribed by the general laws of the State providing for the enforcement of tax liens if the person(s) has a legal or equitable ownership interest in the property where the emergency response occurred. The City shall also have the right to bring an action in the appropriate court to collect such costs if it deems such action to be necessary.
(Ord. 2017-08. Passed 1-3-18.)