§ 19-26. Collection of outstanding invoices.

(a)

The administrative departments handling the enforcement of this article and the enforcement of sections 27-106 through 27-113 and sections 27-117 through 27-125 shall no less than once each month send to the department of finance copies of all invoices mailed or served upon proprietary parties and/or property owners whose premises were affected.

(b)

After fifteen (15) days following the invoice date, the department of finance shall submit to the department of law a list of unpaid amounts and the department of law shall have recorded a lien against the respective properties. The department of law shall furnish to the department of finance a list of liens filed.

(c)

The department of finance shall then send a second invoice to the proprietary party and/or property owner advising that the accounts receivable are to be turned over to the parish attorney for collection if the amounts due are not paid within fifteen (15) days.

(d)

After said fifteen (15) days if any invoice remains unpaid, the department of finance shall send the account to the department of law for collection and the department of law shall make written demand for payment. If payment is not received within fifteen (15) days, the parish attorney may file suit for collection. The proprietary party and/or owner of the premises shall be liable for reasonable attorney's fees, of not less than twenty (20) percent, plus any necessary court costs when an account is turned over for collection.

(e)

The department of inspection and code enforcement shall monitor and give monthly reports to the office of research and budget and the finance department as to the success of collections for these charges.

(Ord. No. 23373, § 1, 8-20-08)