[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Catawissa 12-10-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-03; amended in its entirety 9-9-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-04 (Ch. 1, Part 8, of the 1983 Code of Ordinances). Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall apply to all municipal claims (hereafter the "delinquent accounts") allowed and authorized by the law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be assessed by the Borough of Catawissa (hereby the "Borough"), including, but not limited to, liens for taxes and for municipal improvements, for the removal of nuisances and for water rents or rates, sewage rates, lighting rates and power rates to the fullest extent authorized by law, whether heretofore or hereafter assessed or filed.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
The following schedule of attorney fees is to be utilized and followed in the assessment of attorney fees in the collection of any delinquent account, and the corresponding fee shall be added and included in the collection of the same at the time of the filing of a municipal claim by or for the Borough, or as soon thereafter as may be convenient or proper.
Attorney Fees
Attorney’s current fee
Prior to assessing or imposing attorney fees in connection with a delinquent account, the Borough shall provide notice of the Borough's intention to assess or impose attorney fees in connection with this chapter as may be required by the Act of May 16, 1923, P.L. 207, No. 153, as amended or supplemented, 53 P.S. § 7106.
In all proceedings where a municipal claim is filed as a lien against real property for delinquent accounts which are the subject of this chapter, interest equal to 10% per annum shall be assessed and accrue on the claim from the date of the completion of the work after it is filed as a lien, and on claims for taxes, water rents or rates, lighting rates or sewer rates, from the date of the filing of the lien therefor; provided, however, that if a municipal claim is filed arising out of a municipal project which required the Borough to issue bonds to finance the project, interest shall accrue and be collectible on such claim at the rate of interest of the bond issue or at the rate of 12% per annum, whichever is less. No notice prior to the assessment or imposition of interest as set forth herein shall be required. Such interest shall be added to the municipal claim and collected therewith.
In all proceedings where a municipal claim is filed as a lien against real property for delinquent accounts which are the subject of this chapter, a penalty equal to 5% of the delinquent account shall be added to the municipal claim and collected therewith when the delinquent account remains unpaid for 90 days after the assessment shall have been levied, or as soon thereafter as may be convenient or proper. No notice prior to the assessment or the imposition of a penalty as set forth herein shall be required.
Should any part or provision of this chapter be found to be illegal, unenforceable or void, such shall not affect the remainder of this chapter which shall remain fully binding, enforceable and valid, and such illegal, unenforceable or void part and/or provision shall be amended to the extent necessary to conform with the law. The Council of the Borough hereby declares its intention that it would have adopted this chapter had it not contained such invalid, illegal or unenforceable part or provision, and that it would have adopted this chapter had it contained such parts or provisions as subsequently amended to conform to the law.