8.05.200 Billing for collection service delinquent bills.
Delinquent bills may be collected by the city by use of one or more of the following cumulative remedies:
(1) All garbage and refuse service to the premises may be suspended. Such suspension shall not relieve the owner of the premises from paying the delinquent account or from accruing additional monthly charges during the period of suspension. Further, such suspension shall not relieve the owner of the premises from an obligation to comply with all provisions of this chapter, and an accumulation of garbage or refuse on the premises may result in an action by the city for abatement of a health hazard.
(2) A civil collection action may be instituted against the owner of the premises and/or the person or persons occupying the same during the period that the delinquent account arose. If the city obtains judgment against such parties, it shall also be entitled to judgment for court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees expended in said litigation.
(a) The amount of a delinquent account shall constitute a lien against the property for which the garbage collection service was rendered. In order to enforce said lien, the city must file a notice of the same with the Grant County auditor within 90 days from the date on which the services were performed. Such notice must comply with RCW 35.21.140. The city may file a judicial action to foreclose said lien within a period of eight calendar months after the lien was filed. If the city obtains judgment on said lien, it shall also be entitled to judgment for court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred in said litigation.
(b) The amount of a delinquent account may be referred to a commercial collection agency for collection (in addition to all fees and charges that are charged by the collection agency). (Ord. 456 § 1, 2012; Ord. 358 § 20, 2003)