§ 40.24. Assessment of cost.

(1)

The city council shall assess the entire cost of city abatement action upon the affected property as a special assessment, which assessment, when made, shall constitute a lien upon such property by the city. The lien of the city shall encompass, in addition to the abatement cost for the vacation or removal of the facility, all administrative, legal, postal and publication expenses, as well as all other direct or indirect costs associated therewith. The lien upon the property shall be superior to all others except taxes as previously set forth herein.

(2)

The city shall file such lien in the Official Records of St. Lucie County showing the nature of such lien, the amount thereof, an accurate legal description of the property, including the street address, which lien shall date from the date of the filing and recite the owners of the property. Such municipal lien shall bear interest from such date at the rate of eight (8) percent per annum. However, the assessment may be paid without interest at any time within thirty (30) days after the improvement is completed. The city may enforce the lien upon the real property of the owner, as provided for in Chapter 173, Florida Statutes as amended from time to time.

(3)

In the alternative, the city may collect all such liens assessed pursuant to section 197.3632, Florida Statutes as authorized pursuant to section 197.3632(9).

(Ord. No. 07-146, § 3, 10-22-07)