Columbia Collection of abatement costs ordinance (§ 11-269)

(a) If the owner of the property on which the unlicensed, dismantled, inoperable or junk-filled vehicle was located was served with an abatement notice, the cost of abatement may be assessed against the property in the following manner. The director shall certify the cost of abatement to the city clerk. The cost shall include administrative costs as well as the actual cost of removing the vehicle. The city clerk shall cause a special taxbill against the property to be prepared in the amount of the abatement cost. The taxbill from the date of its issuance shall be a lien on the property until paid and shall be prima facie evidence of the recitals therein and of its validity. No clerical error or informality in the taxbill or in the proceedings leading up to the issuance of the taxbill shall be a defense in an action to collect the taxbill. Taxbills issued under this section, if not paid when due, shall bear interest at the rate of eight per cent (8%) per annum. The tax bill shall constitute a personal obligation of the owner of the property on which the vehicle was located.

(b) The cost of abatement shall also constitute a personal obligation of the owner of the vehicle and the occupant of the property on which the vehicle was located.