§ 14-386-119 - Proceedings upon nonpayment of assessment.

14-386-119. Proceedings upon nonpayment of assessment.

(a) If any assessment made under this subchapter shall not be paid within the time mentioned in the notice published by the collector of a fencing district:

(1) The collector shall add to it a penalty of twenty percent (20%) and shall at once return a list of the property on which the assessments have not been paid to the fencing board, as delinquent;

(2) (A) The board shall straightway cause a complaint in equity to be filed in the court having jurisdiction of suits for the enforcement of liens upon real property, for the condemnation and sale of such delinquent land for the payment of the assessment, penalty, and costs of suit.

(B) In the complaint, it shall not be necessary to state more than the fact of the assessment and the nonpayment of it within the time required by law, without any other further statement of any step required to be taken by the court, the board, or any officer whatever, concluding with a request that the delinquent lands be charged with the amount of the assessment, penalty, and costs of suit and be condemned and sold for the payment of it.

(b) (1) It shall not be necessary to exhibit with the complaint any copy of any order of court or other document or paper connected with the assessment and collection of moneys assessed under this subchapter; and

(2) It shall be no objection to any suit brought for this purpose that the lands of two (2) or more owners are joined in the same proceeding, as such a suit may be brought against one (1) or more owners.

(c) (1) In these suits the same service shall be had on defendants, and the case shall proceed in the same manner as is provided by law in cases or suits for the collection of assessments for local improvements in cities of the first class, insofar as these proceedings can be made applicable.

(2) In case of sale, the owner shall have the same right of redemption by paying the amount of the purchase money and all assessments to the purchaser and twenty percent (20%) on it, within one (1) year from the date of sale.