(a) For every delinquent claim, charge tax, assessment, levy or obligation owed to the Borough of White Oak, there shall be added to such claim, charge tax, assessment, levy or obligation such attorney’s fees, and expenses incurred in the collection process subsequent to proper notification to taxpayers of the intent to impose attorney’s fees on delinquent obligations. Such additional charges shall be collected in addition to such interest and penalties as are allowed by law. They shall further be collected in the same manner and with the full authority as other municipal claims of any nature, and shall be deemed to be a municipal claim and collectable and lienable as such.
(b) Such fees shall be reasonable and the same are hereby established in a fee rate as attached hereto and made a part hereof as Schedule “A”. Said schedule of fees is hereby deemed to be reasonable, fair and necessary in order to allow the Borough to collect such sums due. This schedule may be amended by ordinance.
(c) Any person or entity empowered to collect sums on behalf of the Borough is directed to add such fees as are incurred to the extent allowed and set forth on Schedule “A”. Such sums collected pursuant to this section shall be in addition to any tax, penalty, interest, costs or fees already part of the delinquent account or assessment.
(d) Attorney fees incurred to the extent set forth on Schedule “A” shall be added to all unpaid real estate tax claims of any nature arising or imposed subsequent to the date of adoption of this section, or which become delinquent or are re-determined to be delinquent subsequent to this date. Prior to the time when such fees are added to any underlying claim, the tax collector shall so notify the taxpayer by sending such notice to the taxpayer’s last known address by mailing notices in the manner prescribed by the Act of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, known as Act 20 of 2003.
(Ord. 3350. Passed 4-19-04)
SCHEDULE “A” | |
SCHEDULE OF LEGAL FEES Delinquent Tax and Municipal Claims | |
1. Prepare and mail thirty-day (30) delinquent notice | $50.00 |
2. Prepare District Justice Complaint | $75.00 |
3. Attend District Justice Hearing. | $250.00 |
4. Attend Constable Execution Sale. |
$350.00 |
5. Prepare Arbitration Complaint. |
$150.00 |
6. Prepare General Docket Proceedings. |
$375.00 |
7. Attend Trial. |
$350.00 |
8. Negotiate and Prepare Payment Plan Agreement. |
$75.00 |
9. Prepare Writ of Scire Facias Sur Tax Lien in Furtherance of Sheriff Tax Sale. |
$600.00 |
10. Prepare Reissue Writ. |
$125.00 |
11. Title Search for Sheriff Sale. |
$150.00 |
12. Enter Default Judgment. |
$150.00 |
13. Issue Writ of Execution. |
$250.00 |
14. Attend Sheriff Sale. |
$250.00 |
15. Non-litigation Legal Work. |
$80.00/hr |
16. Litigation Legal Work. |
$100.00/hr |
17. All Other Clerical Work Not Itemized Above. | $50.00/hr |