[Amended 9-13-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-03]
West Bradford Township hereby approves the following fee schedule
for the collection of unpaid claims, which fees shall be added to
the unpaid claim.
A. Legal fees.
(1) Initial review and sending first legal demand letter: $175.
(2) File lien and prepare satisfaction: $250.
(3) Prepare writ of scire facias: $250.
(4) Prepare and mail letter under Pa.R.C.P. § 237.1: $50.
(5) Prepare default judgment: $175.
(6) Research, prepare and obtain reissued writ: $175.
(7) Prepare praecipe to amend: $100.
(8) Prepare motion to amend: $150.
(9) Prepare motion for alternate service: $250.
(10)
Prepare motion to consolidate claims: $250.
(11)
Amend claim to add United States as defendant: $250.
(12)
Prepare writ of execution: $800.
(13)
Preparation for sheriffs sale; review schedule of distribution
and resolve distribution issues: $400.
(14)
Prepare motion to continue sheriff sale: $50.
(15)
Prepare petition for free and clear sale: $400.
(16)
Preparation and service of subpoena: $100.
(17)
Presentation of motion or petition: $50.
(18)
Services not covered above: at an hourly rate between $75 and
$275 per hour.
B. Collection fees.
(1) Validation notice: $25 per notice.
(2) Notice of delinquent claim and fee shifting: $40 per notice, plus
applicable postage.
(3) Bookkeeping fee for payment plan of three months or less: $25.
(4) Bookkeeping fee for payment plan of more than three months: $50.
(5) Handling fee for returned check: $25.
C. Payoff fee.
(1) Providing guaranteed payoff to third parties: $25.
[Amended 4-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-02]
A. In addition, the reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket charges,
costs, expenses, commissions and fees incurred in the collection,
such as but not limited to postage, title searches, prothonotary fees
and sheriff fees, shall be added to the unpaid claims.
B. The Township and any attorney or private collector collecting delinquent
municipal claims on behalf of the Township are hereby authorized to
accept payment of delinquent municipal claims by credit card or debit
card. Where payment is by credit card or debit card, any charges or
fees charged by the credit card or debit card company and/or the credit
card or debit card servicing agent shall become part of the delinquent
municipal claim and be charged immediately to the credit card or debit
card used to make payment. Such applies to credit card or debit card
payments made by mail, telephone, the internet or in person.
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 established in accordance
with the Act:
A. At least 30 days prior to assessing or imposing attorneys' fees in
connection with the collection of an account, West Bradford 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's fees, West Bradford
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 chapter shall be mailed to the property
owner's last known post office address as recorded in the records
or other information of West Bradford Township or such other address
as it may be able to obtain from the County Office of Assessment.
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 West Bradford Township's intent to impose or assess
attorney's 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's fees
may be avoided by payment of the account; and
(4) The place of payment for accounts and the name and telephone number
of West Bradford Township's representative designated as responsible
for collection matters.
The proper officials of West Bradford Township are hereby authorized
and empowered to take such additional action as they may deem necessary
or appropriate to implement this chapter.
[Amended 9-10-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-04]
West Bradford Township may appoint an attorney from time to
time for the limited purpose of collecting delinquent municipal claims
and hereby authorizes the appointed attorney, and attorneys under
his or her supervision, to sign any and all documents, including municipal
claims, on behalf of West Bradford Township.