A. The governing body may by ordinance:

1. Establish the time and terms of paying the assessment or an installment on the assessment;

2. Set a rate of interest not exceeding ten percent (10%) per annum upon deferred payments of the assessment which shall commence from the date of publication of the ordinance ratifying the assessment;

3. Set interest rates not exceeding ten percent (10%) per annum upon the outstanding principal amount of bonds issued by a district pursuant to Section 39-115 of this title; and

4. Fix penalties to be charged for delinquent payment of an installment on an assessment.

B. After the publication of the ordinance ratifying an assessment levied as provided in Section 39-111 of this title, the assessment with any interest or penalty accruing on such assessment shall constitute a lien upon the tract or parcel of land so assessed. Such lien shall be coequal with the lien for ad valorem taxes and the lien of other improvement districts, and be superior to all other liens, claims and titles. Unmatured installments are not deemed to be within the terms of any general covenant or warranty. All purchasers, mortgagees or encumbrancers of a tract or parcel of land so assessed shall acquire the tract or parcel of land subject to the lien so created.

C. Within sixty (60) days after the publication of the ordinance ratifying an assessment roll, the city clerk shall prepare, sign, attest with the municipal seal and record in the office of the county clerk a claim of lien for any unpaid amount due and assessed against a tract or parcel of land.

D. Any tract or parcel so assessed shall not be relieved from the assessment or lien by the sale of the tract or parcel of land for taxes or any other assessment, subject to the provisions of Section 39-119 of this title. The statute of limitations shall not begin to run against an assessment until after the last installment of the assessment becomes due.

E. The fact that an improvement is omitted in front of any tract or parcel of land does not invalidate a lien or assessment made against any other tract or parcel of land.

F. A delinquent installment of an assessment shall be foreclosed and the tract or parcel of land concerned be sold in the manner provided by law for foreclosure of mortgages on land. If, at the sale, there is no better bidder for the tract or parcel of land the municipality shall bid in the tract or parcel of land for the amount due on the assessment plus any interest, penalties or costs which have accrued against the assessment. Any real estate sold under any order, judgment or decree of court to satisfy the lien may be redeemed by the owner or his assignee at any time within one (1) year of the date of sale by paying to the purchaser thereof or assignee the amount paid with interest from the date of purchase at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum.

Added by Laws 1978, c. 233, § 12, emerg. eff. April 25, 1978. Amended by Laws 2007, c. 362, § 9, eff. Nov. 1, 2007.