Santa Cruz County Municipal Code Art. III Billing And Collection

The regular billing period for said service charges will be yearly, monthly or bimonthly, as determined by the Board.

(Ord. 3406 § 6, 1983)

Opening and closing bills for less than the normal billing period shall be for not less than one month.

(Ord. 3406 § 7, 1983)

Bills for service charges shall be rendered at the beginning of each billing period, and are payable upon presentation, except as otherwise provided.

(Ord. 3406 § 8, 1983)

All bills (other than those for which provision is made, prior to delinquency, for collection thereof on the tax rolls on which the general County property taxes are collected) not paid on or before the twentieth of the month in which said bills were due and payable shall be delinquent, and a penalty of 10 percent of the bill or amount due, plus one-half of one percent per month from the first day of said month, shall accrue for the period of such nonpayment, and be collected as a part of the principal amount thereof.

(Ord. 3406 § 9, 1983)

If service charges remain delinquent for a period of 60 days, said charges shall constitute a lien against the property against which the same were imposed, upon recording thereof with the County Recorder. Such lien shall have the force, effect and priority of a judgment lien, and shall continue for three years from the time of recording unless sooner released or otherwise discharged. A statement on the bills to each property owner shall give notice of the lien provided by this section.

(Ord. 3406 § 10, 1983)

The County may collect unpaid service charges by suit.

(Ord. 3406 § 11, 1983)

The remedies provided in this chapter for collecting and enforcing charges are cumulative, and may be pursued alternatively, or may be used consecutively when the Board so determines. If any remedy is invalid, all valid remedies shall remain effectual.

(Ord. 3406 § 12, 1983)