Upon demolition of the building or structure, the appropriate city official shall make an itemized written report to the governing body of the cost thereof. The cost of the demolition shall be the actual cost the city incurs in the demolition should the city use its own forces, including administrative costs the city incurs in abating the nuisance. Should the city contract for demolition, the cost shall be the actual cost the contractor charges the city for the demolition, including administrative costs the city incurs in abating the nuisance. Upon report of the costs by the appropriate city official, the governing body shall adopt a resolution fixing the costs which it finds were incurred in the demolition and assessing the same against the property; provided, however, the proceeds of any moneys received from the use of salvaged materials from the building or structure shall be used or applied against the cost of the demolition; and provided, further, then any person, firm, or corporation having an interest in the property may be heard at the meeting concerning the fixing of the costs or the amounts thereof. The city clerk of the city shall give at least 10 days' notice of the meeting at which the fixing of the costs is to be considered by first-class mail to all entities having an interest in the property whose address and interest is determined from the revenue commissioner's records on the property or is otherwise known to the clerk. The fixing of costs by the governing body shall constitute a special assessment against the lot or lots, parcel or parcels of land upon which the building or structure was located, and thus made and confirmed shall constitute lien on the property for the amount of the assessment. The lien shall be superior to all other liens on the property except liens for taxes, and shall continue in force until paid. A certified copy of the resolution shall be filed in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Barbour County. Upon filing, the revenue commissioner of the county shall add the amount of the lien to the ad valorem tax bill on the property and shall collect the amount as if it were a tax and remit the amount to the city. The county revenue commissioner shall retain 10 percent of the amount of each lien collected to be used for operational purposes.
Last modified: May 3, 2021