Sec. 33. (a) Upon completion of the assessment roll by the board, the board shall immediately prepare a duplicate of the assessment roll of benefits, to be known as “The Local Assessment Duplicate”, and deliver it, duly certified, to the county treasurer. The amounts of benefits assessed are then liens superior to all other liens, except taxes, against the respective lots or parcels of land upon which they are assessed. The duties of the treasurer are the same as are prescribed by law for the collection of assessments for street improvements.

     (b) The assessments of benefits are due and payable to the treasurer from the time of the delivery of the assessment duplicate to the treasurer. If the assessments are not paid within sixty (60) days after delivery, the board, through its attorney, shall proceed to foreclose the liens in a court of competent jurisdiction as mortgages are foreclosed, with similar rights of redemption and the right to sell the property to pay the assessments. The board may recover costs, reasonable attorney’s fees, and interest from the expiration of the sixty (60) day period at the rate of six percent (6%) per year. If the person against whom the assessment is made is a resident of the city, demand shall be made by delivery to the person personally or mailing to the person’s last and usual place of residence a notice of the assessment and demand for payment.

     (c) A person assessed for special and local benefits may, within thirty (30) days after confirmation of the assessments, decide to pay the assessment in installments in the same manner as provided for the payment of assessments for the improvement or paving of streets in the city.

     (d) Statutes concerning the payment of street improvement assessments by installments, the issuance of bonds and coupons to anticipate assessments, and the rights of bondholders and landholders apply to assessments made under this chapter when consistent with this chapter. If assessment bonds are issued, they shall promptly be sold by the board in the same manner as park district bonds are authorized to be sold under section 35 of this chapter. Assessment bonds are exempt from taxation for all purposes. The expense of all notices with respect to assessments and delinquencies shall be paid by the board and all interest on delinquencies shall be deposited into the general fund of the board.

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citation: 19-7-30-28.]

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.111. Amended by P.L.127-2017, SEC.384.