§ 14-54-904 - Enforcement of lien for clearance by municipality. - Arkansas Statutes

14-54-904. Enforcement of lien for clearance by municipality.

(a) The liens provided for in 14-54-903 may be enforced and collected at any time within ten (10) years after a lien has been filed in either one (1) of the following manners:

(1) By an action for foreclosure in the circuit court by the city or town, or if the city or town has established a land bank, by a land bank that has been assigned the lien; or

(2) (A) The amount so determined at the hearing, plus ten percent (10%) penalty for collection, shall be certified by the governing body of the municipality to the tax collector of the county where the municipality is located and placed by him or her on the tax books as delinquent taxes and collected accordingly.

(B) The amount, less three percent (3%) thereof, when so collected shall be paid to the municipality by the county tax collector.

(b) (1) (A) In any situation in which a city of the first class or city of the second class issues an order for the removal, repair to return the structure to compliance with minimum building code standards, or razing of a building or house under the provisions of 14-56-203 and such order is not complied with by the owner of the building or house and the city then removes, repairs, or razes the building or house, a lien is granted and given against the real property for the cost of the removal, repair, or razing.

(B) If the city determines to repair the building or house to meet the minimum building code standards, the city shall comply with all necessary requirements under 14-58-303 for competitive bidding for purchases of supplies and materials or for contracts for work or labor needed to complete the repairs on the building or house.

(2) The lien granted by this subsection shall also be enforced pursuant to the lien enforcement procedures set forth in subsection (a) of this section.

(c) In all suits brought to enforce the liens described in this section, the reimbursement of costs, including title search fees and reasonable attorney's fees, shall be awarded to the municipality.