[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township
of North Versailles as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 2-17-2011 by Ord. No. 1055]
North Versailles Township hereby approves the following fee
schedule for the collection of unpaid claims, which fees shall be
added to the unpaid claim.
A.
Notice expense. A charge, not to exceed $50, plus postage, shall
be added to the unpaid claim for providing notice of delinquency pursuant
to Section 7106 of the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act.[1] North Versailles Township may hire a private company to
perform this service and add the amount of this charge to the unpaid
claim.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 7106.
C.
Legal fees.
(1)
Initial review and sending first demand letter: $160.
(2)
File lien and prepare satisfaction: $250.
(3)
Prepare writ of scire facias: $250.
(4)
Obtain reissued writ: $30.
(5)
Prepare and mail letter under Pa.R.C.P. 237.1: $30.
(6)
Prepare motion for alternate service: $250.
(7)
Prepare request for production of documents in preparation for trial:
$25.
(8)
Prepare pretrial memorandum: $150.
(9)
Prepare motion for judgment for want of sufficient affidavit of defense
pursuant to 53 P.S. § 7271: $150.
(10)
Prepare default judgment: $175.
(11)
Prepare writ of execution: $800.
(12)
Attendance at sale; review schedule of distribution and resolve
distribution issues: $400.
(13)
Continue sheriff sale: $50.
(14)
Petition to assess damages: $50.
(15)
Petition for free and clear sale: $400.
(16)
Prepare bankruptcy proof of claim: $100.
(17)
Services not covered above: At an hourly rate between $60 and
$225 per hour.
In addition, the reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket charges,
costs, expenses, commissions and fees incurred in collection, such
as but not limited to postage, title searches, prothonotary fees and
sheriff fees, shall be added to the unpaid claims.
Interest will be assessed upon all delinquent unpaid municipal
claims at a rate of 10% per annum and added to the unpaid claim.
The following collection procedures are hereby established in
accordance with the Act:[1]
A.
At least 30 days prior to assessing or imposing attorney fees in
connection with the collection of an account, North Versailles Township
or its designee 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 "property owner").
B.
If the certified mail notice is undelivered, then, at least 10 days
prior to the assessing or imposing such attorney fees, North Versailles
Township or its designee shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first-class
mail, a second notice to the property owner.
C.
All notices required by this article shall be mailed to the property
owner's last known post office address as recorded in the records
or other information of North Versailles Township 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 North Versailles Township's intent to impose
or assess attorney 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 attorney fees
may be avoided by payment of the account; and
(4)
The place of payment for accounts and the name and telephone number
of North Versailles Township's representative designated as responsible
for collection matters.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 7101 et seq.
The proper officials of North Versailles Township are hereby
authorized and empowered to take such additional action as they may
deem necessary or appropriate to implement this article.
North Versailles Township appoints Michelle R. Portnoff, Esquire,
as Solicitor for the limited purpose of collecting delinquent municipal
claims and hereby authorizes her, and attorneys under her supervision,
to sign any and all documents, including municipal claims, on behalf
of North Versailles Township.
