Township of Wilkins, PA Chapter 271 Municipal Claims and Liens

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Wilkins as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]

Article I Attorney's Fees for Cost of Collections

[Adopted 1-12-2009 by Ord. No. 993 (Ch. 25, Art. I, of the 1998 Township Code)]

§ 271-1 Title.

This article shall be known as the "Cost of Collections Ordinance."

§ 271-2 Collection of fees, charges and expenses.

Hereinafter, for every delinquent claim, charge, tax assessment, levy or obligation owed to the Township of Wilkins, there shall be added to such claim, charge, tax, assessment, levy or obligation such attorney's fees, charges, 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 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 for purposes of collection and obtaining a lien on property.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 7101 et seq., the Municipal Claims and Liens Act.

§ 271-3 Fee rate.

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.[1] Said schedule of fees is hereby deemed to be reasonable, fair and necessary in order to allow the Township of Wilkins to collect such amounts due. This schedule may be amended from time to time by ordinance.

[1] Editor's Note: Schedule A is on file in the Township offices.

§ 271-4 Authority to collect.

Any person or entity empowered to collect amounts on behalf of the Township of Wilkins is directed to add such fees as are incurred to the extent allowed and set forth on Schedule A.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Schedule A is on file in the Township offices.

§ 271-5 Notice required.

Attorney's fees incurred to the extent set forth on Schedule A shall be added to all unpaid municipal claims of any nature arising or imposed subsequent to the effective date of this article. Prior to the time when such fees are added to any underlying claim, the Tax Collector shall first give the taxpayer such notice as required by law. The Tax Collector or other collector shall so notify the taxpayer by sending such notice to the taxpayer's last known address by mailing notices in substantially the forms of notice as are attached as Exhibits B and C[1] in accordance with the statutes cited herein.

[1] Editor's Note: Exhibits B and C are on file in the Township offices.