Public Notices - Proposed Ordinances

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby provided that the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Upper Saucon intends to consider passage of Ordinance No. 148 at a public meeting to be held on the 7th day of February, 2011, commencing at 6:00 P.M. Said public meeting shall take place at the Township municipal building located at 5500 Camp Meeting Road, Center Valley, Pennsylvania. The following constitutes the full text version of proposed Ordinance No. 148:

TOWNSHIP OF UPPER SAUCON
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ORDINANCE NO. 148

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND ESTABLISHING ATTORNEY'S FEES FOR COLLECTION OF MUNICIPAL LIENS AND TAX LIENS AND ESTABLISHING THE RATE OF INTEREST

WHEREAS, the Municipal Claims Act provides that a municipality may impose a lien against property for tax claims or municipal claims by way of lien which would include all charges, expenses and fees incurred in the collection of the same, including reasonable attorney's fees; and

WHEREAS, the Municipal Claims Act allows a municipality to claim interest at a rate not to exceed ten percent (10%); and

WHEREAS, it is the intention of this Ordinance to establish the attorney's fees and interest rate applicable to all municipal claims including tax liens and municipal liens.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Upper Saucon, Lehigh County and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as follows:

SECTION l.
Pursuant to the Municipal Claims Act, the Township of Upper Saucon hereby adopts the following schedule of attorney's fees in connection with the collection of municipal claims including both tax liens and municipal liens as follows:

A. Tax Liens (if collected by privately appointed counsel):

(1) For payments made after a claim is turned over to counsel but prior to the issuance of the collection letter, the sum of $25.00 for each payment received;

(2) For payments made after the issuance of the 30 day certified mail collection letter, the sum of $100.00 for each payment received;

(3) For preparation and filing of the tax lien, the sum of $500.00;

(4) For preparation and filing of the Praecipe and Writ of Scire Facias, the sum of $500.00;

(5) For any additional work required on a contested tax lien, an hourly rate of $250.00;

(6) For a Sheriff's Sale proceeding, the sum of $500.00 minimum for work and document preparation on each lien plus an hourly rate of $250.00 for any additional work required;

(7) For any additional work required, the sum of $250.00 per hour;

(8) All above sums shall be additive.

B. Municipal Liens:

(1) For issuance of the 30 day certified mail notice letter, the sum of $100.00;

(2) For preparation and filing of the municipal lien, the sum of $250.00;

(3) For preparation and filing of the Praecipe and Writ of Scire Facias, the sum of $500.00;

(4) For any additional work required on a contested tax lien, an hourly rate of $250.00;

(5) For a Sheriff's Sale proceeding, the sum of $500.00 minimum for work and document preparation on each lien plus an hourly rate of $250.00 for any additional work required;

(6) For any additional work required, the sum of $250.00 per hour;

(7) All above sums shall be additive.

SECTION 2.
Pursuant to the Municipal Claims Act, the Township of Upper Saucon hereby sets the interest rate applicable to all municipal claims including tax liens and municipal liens at a rate of ten percent (10%).

SECTION 3.
Court costs, filing fees and charges applicable to all municipal claims including tax liens and municipal liens shall be additional expenses to be collected from the debtor.

SECTION 4.
To establish an installment payment plan for delinquent real estate taxes, an additional fee of $50.00 shall be collected from the debtor.

SECTION 5.
All ordinances and resolutions inconsistent herewith shall be and the same are hereby repealed.

SECTION 6.
The current fees for liens previously filed (which fees are set forth in the repealed ordinances and resolutions) are hereby reaffirmed and shall remain in effect for those liens filed prior to the effective date of this ordinance.

SECTION 7.
This ordinance shall become effective on FEBRUARY 14, 2011.

UPPER SAUCON TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MIRO A. GUTZMIRTL, CHAIRMAN

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