13.30A.090 Collection of delinquencies, interest, penalty and costs of collection.

Delinquent service charges provided for herein shall be charged interest and penalties on the delinquent balance at the same rate as property taxes as provided in Chapter 84.56 RCW. The county shall have a lien for delinquent service charges as provided in Chapter 84.60 RCW, including interest and penalties thereon, against the real property for which the service charges are calculated. The lien shall be superior to all other liens and encumbrances except general taxes and local and special assessments and shall be subject to foreclosure as provided in Chapter 84.64 RCW. Payments made shall be applied first to the payment of property taxes unless the property owner has otherwise specified at the time the payment is tendered.

The county treasurer may use the services of a collection agency to collect delinquent service charges as provided in RCW 19.16.500 as existing or hereinafter amended. The collection agency fee shall be added to the amount of the delinquent service charge. Costs associated with the foreclosure of the lien, including but not limited to advertising, title report and personnel costs, shall be added to the lien upon filing of the foreclosure action. In addition to the costs and disbursements provided by statute, the court may allow the county reasonable attorneys’ fees. The lien shall be foreclosed in the same manner as the foreclosure of real property tax liens. (Sec. 3 of Ord. 1999-11-09; amended by Sec. 2 of Ord. 2008-06-01)