§ 34-55. Abatement by town.

(a)

Authorized. If any person, having been ordered to abate such a public nuisance, fails, neglects or refuses to abate or remove the condition constituting the nuisance within 15 business days from receipt of the order, the town manager or his designee shall seek town council approval to cause the condition to be removed or otherwise remedied by having employees of the town or other designated persons to go upon the premises and remove or otherwise abate such nuisance under the supervision of an officer or employee designated by the town council. Provided that town council approval shall not be required for any nuisance abatement undertaken at the direction of the town manager or his designee if the estimated cost of removing such condition does not exceed $10,000.00.

(b)

Costs charged to owner. The actual cost incurred by the town in removing or otherwise remedying a public nuisance shall be charged to the owner of such lot or parcel of land and it shall be the duty of the finance department to mail a statement of such charges to the owner or other person in possession of such premises with instructions that such charges are due and payable within 30 days from receipt. In addition to the actual contract cost, there shall be added an administrative overhead fee; such fee shall be determined by the town council.

(c)

Unpaid charges become a lien. If charges for the removal or abatement of public nuisance are not paid within 30 days after the receipt of a statement of charges as provided for in subsection (b) of this section, such charges shall become a lien upon the land or premises where the public nuisance existed and shall be collected as unpaid taxes, as provided in G.S. 160A-193.

(Code 2003, § 14-64; Ord. No. 09-28, § 1(exh. A), 12-17-2009; Ord. No. 15-01, § 1, 2-19-2015)