MS SB2536

Amends Section 19-5-105 to allow boards of supervisors to collect cleaning costs and penalties as a civil debt against property owners, in addition to or instead of as a property assessment.

Authorizes boards of supervisors to institute lawsuits against property owners on open account to recover cleaning costs, penalties up to $1,500 or 50% of actual cost (whichever is greater), court costs, reasonable attorney's fees, and interest from the date of cleaning.

Establishes that assessments for cleaning costs become liens against the property and may be enrolled as judgments, with property subject to sale by the tax collector to satisfy the lien under the same procedures as delinquent tax sales.

Property owners retain the same redemption rights as those provided for delinquent tax sales, and decisions may be appealed using the same process as other county board appeals.

Effective date: July 1, 2020.