Question

Code Enforcement/Property Maintenance Bill Collection

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Josh Jones
Josh Jones asked

How does your community handle getting paid for the maintenance that you do on code violations (grass cutting, debris removal, etc.) of various properties when people won’t take care of violation notices themselves?

We currently place a lien on the property for fees/fines/labor, which generates a lot of legal paperwork and does not net us cash until the property is sold, at which time the benefit of a lean does kick in because it legally must be resolved before the property can change hands.

We're looking into abandoning this practice and using a 3rd party bill collection company. If you use one, which company is it? How has it worked out for you?

Answers

 
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Pamela Muse

Josh – I hope the following is helpful:

LA – . . . The City makes several attempts to collect in-house before the delinquent accounts are referred to collection agencies. -- http://finance.lacity.org/content/OutsideCollectionAgenciesFAQ.htm

Tuscaloosa - City plans to improve debt collection
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20120901/NEWS/120839933

More Arizona Cities Outsourcing to Debt Collection Agencies
http://www.federalmanagement.co.uk/news/2010/08/more-arizona-cities-outsourcing-to-debt-collection-agencies/

Pittsburg - City Council OK's outsourcing of property tax collection
October 21, 2009 - http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/city-council-oks-outsourcing-of-property-tax-collection-362811/

 
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Josh Jones
Josh Jones said

Thank you as always Pam! I'm looking forward to reading these leads.

 
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Pamela Gibbs

Why not pass an Ordinance that attaches the bill to the tax bill and is collected upon yearly payment?

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13 Sep 2012
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13 Oct 2012