Billing of costs; abatement assessment lien; appeal; interest; priority

(a)

Billing of costs of abatement to property owner. If the property owner fails to comply with an order issued pursuant to section 19-5 above, and the city expends funds or resources to abate the condition or situation that is the subject of the order, the city shall bill the property owner for the abatement consisting of the actual costs or funds expended by the city, which may include an administrative fee associated with the abatement of the condition or situation. All bills shall be immediately due and payable upon receipt.

(b)

Notice of intent to lien unpaid bills. At the time of billing, the city will provide notice to the property owner that the city will impose an abatement assessment lien against the subject real property if the bill described in paragraph (a) above is not paid within thirty (30) calendar days.

(c)

Challenge. The property owner will have thirty (30) calendar days from the date of billing to challenge the abatement costs. Any challenge will be in writing specifying the basis for the challenge, and should be submitted to the director who will make a decision on the challenge.

(d)

Abatement assessment lien. If the abatement costs have not been appealed or paid within thirty (30) calendar days of billing, the city will, by resolution, impose an abatement assessment lien, and upon recordation in the official records of Hillsborough County, Florida will establish a lien against the subject real property.

(e)

Interest on delinquent bills. Upon recordation of the abatement assessment line in the official records of Hillsborough County, Florida, the lien will begin incurring simple interest at the rate of one-half (½) percent per month on the unpaid balance.

(f)

Lien priority. The abatement assessment lien shall be equal in dignity to ad valorem taxes but superior to all other liens encumbering the property except prior liens for taxes.

(Ord. No. 89-269, § 2(48-7), 10-12-89; Ord. No. 90-124, § 2(48-7), 5-17-90; Ord. No. 96-204, § 1, 9-26-96; Ord. No. 2011-98, § 1, 8-25-2011)

Secs. 19-8—19-25. - Reserved.

DIVISION 2. - RESERVED[2]

Footnotes: --- (2) ---

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2016-97, § 2, adopted June 23, 2016, repealed §§ 19-26—19-29, which pertained to certificates; inspections. See Code Comparative Table for complete history.

Secs. 19-26—19-45. - Reserved.

DIVISION 3. - PROPERTY MAINTENANCE REGULATIONS