Borough of Bridgeport, PA
Montgomery County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Chapter 347: Municipal Claims and Liens
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Bridgeport 10-14-1997 by Ord. No. 97-549, approved 10-14-1997. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fire insurance proceeds — See Ch. 269.
Licensed occupations — See Ch. 330.
Taxation — See Ch. 506.
347a Statement of Coll Policies
Borough hereby approves the Statement of Collection Policies for delinquent unpaid taxes, user charges, and other items covered by the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act ("accounts"), as presented to this meeting, and which is to be filed with the enacted counterpart of this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Statement of Collection Policies is included at the end of this chapter.
A. 
The Borough hereby approves the following schedule of attorneys' fees for services in connection with the collection of accounts, which is hereby determined to be fair and reasonable compensation for the services set forth below, all in accordance with the principles set forth in Section 3(a.1) of the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Law,[1] as amended:[2]
Legal Services
Fee
Initial review and sending first demand letter
$25
Mailing second demand letter
$25
File lien
$75
Prepare writ of scire facias
$250
Prepare and mail letter under Pa.R.C.P. § 237.1
$25
Prepare motion for alternate service
$150
Prepare motion for summary judgment and related judgment
$500
Prepare writ of execution
$150
Attendance at sale; review schedule of distribution and resolve distribution issues
$250
Services not covered above
Hourly amount equal to Solicitor's regular charges to Borough
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 7101 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
B. 
There shall be added to the above amounts the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of counsel in connection with each of these services, as itemized in the applicable counsel bills, which shall be deemed to be part of the fees.
C. 
The amount of fees determined as set forth above shall be added to the Borough's claim in each account.
The following collection procedures are hereby established:
A. 
At least 30 days prior to assessing or imposing attorneys' fees in connection with the collection of an account, the Borough 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").
B. 
If within 30 days after mailing the notice in accordance with Subsection A the certified mail to any account debtor is refused or unclaimed or the return receipt is not received, then, at least 10 days prior to the assessing or imposing of such attorneys' fees, the Borough shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a second notice to such account debtor.
C. 
All notices required by this chapter shall be mailed to the account debtor's last known post office address as recorded in the records or other information of the Borough, or such other address as it may be able to obtain from the County Office of Assessment and Revision of Taxes.
D. 
Each notice as described above shall include the following:
(1) 
The type of tax or other charge, the date it became due and the amount owed, including penalty and interest;
(2) 
A statement of the Borough's intent to impose or assess attorneys' fees within 30 days after the mailing of the first notice or within 10 days after the mailing of the second notice;
(3) 
The manner in which the assessment or imposition of attorneys' fees may be avoided by payment of the account; and
(4) 
The place of payment for accounts and the name and telephone number of the Borough official designated as responsible for the collection matters.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
The proper officials of the Borough are hereby authorized and empowered to take such additional action as they may deem necessary or appropriate to implement this chapter.
The Council of the Borough of Bridgeport reserves the right to amend the provisions set forth in this chapter. Nothing contained herein is intended to waive the right of the Borough to amend this chapter.