Township of Muhlenberg, PA Chapter 31 Finance

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

Article I Delinquent Accounts Collections

[Adopted 3-17-2014 by Ord. No. 531 (Ch. 87 of the 1982 Code)]

§ 31-1 Title.

This article shall be known as the "Township of Muhlenberg Municipal Delinquent Accounts Collection Agency Costs Ordinance."

§ 31-2 Schedule of fees.

A. The Township hereby approves the following schedule of agency fees for services in connection with the collection of delinquent accounts, which is hereby determined to be fair and reasonable compensation for the services of such an agency.

(1) For the collection of accounts under one year from date of service or last payment made by debtor: 25%.

(2) For the collection of accounts one year or over from date of service or last payment made by debtor: 25%.

(3) For the collection of accounts second placements: 25%.

B. The amount of fees determined as set forth above shall be added to the Township's claim in each account.

§ 31-3 Collection procedures.

The following collection procedures are hereby established to be the policy of the Township:

A. At least 30 days prior to assessing or imposing agency fees in connection with the collection of a delinquent account, the Township shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, postage prepaid, a notice of such intention to the delinquent account party or other entity liable for the account (the "account debtor").

B. All notices required by this article shall be mailed to the account debtor's last known post office address as recorded in the records or other information of the Township, or such other address as it may be able to obtain from the County Office of Assessment and Revision of Taxes or elsewhere.

C. Each notice as described above shall include the following:

(1) The type of charge, the date it became due and the amount owed, including penalty and interest;

(2) A statement of the Township's intent to impose or assess agency fees within 30 days after the mailing of the notice;

(3) The manner in which the assessment of imposition of agency 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 Township official designated as responsible for collection matters.

§ 31-4 Related action.

The proper officials of the Township are hereby authorized and empowered to take such additional action as they may deem necessary or appropriate to implement this article.

§ 31-5 Severability.

The provisions of this article shall be severable, and if any provision hereof shall be held to be unconstitutional, invalid or illegal by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of any of the remaining provisions of this article.

§ 31-6 When effective.

This article shall become effective immediately upon enactment or, if later, upon the earliest date permitted by law.