(a) When action required by an order is performed by the enforcement authority or by a contractor acting under section 9 or 11 of this chapter, each person who held a fee interest, life estate interest, or equitable interest of a contract purchaser in the unsafe premises from the time when the order requiring the work performed was issued to the time that the work was completed, or, if emergency action was taken under section 9 of this chapter, during the time of such emergency action, is jointly and severally responsible for the following costs:

1. (1) The:

   1. (A) actual cost of the emergency action taken, as affirmed by the hearing authority; or
   2. (B) actual cost of the work performed by the enforcement authority or the bid price of work accomplished by the contractor under section 11 of this chapter.

2. (2) An amount that represents a reasonable forecast of the average processing expense that will be incurred by the enforcement authority in taking the technical, administrative, and legal actions concerning typical unsafe premises that are necessary under this chapter so that the action required by an order may be performed by a contractor under section 9 or 11 of this chapter. In calculating the amount of the average processing expense, the following costs may be considered:

   1. (A) The cost of obtaining reliable information about the identity and location of persons who own a substantial property interest in the unsafe premises.
   2. (B) The cost of notice of orders, notice of statements of rescission, notice of continued hearing, notice of statements that public bids are to be let or that the enforcement authority intends to accomplish the work, and notice that a hearing may be held on the amounts indicated in the record, in accordance with section 25 of this chapter.
   3. (C) Salaries for employees.
   4. (D) The cost of supplies, equipment, and office space.

(b) The board or commission having control over the department shall determine the amount of the average processing expense at the public hearing, after notice has been given in the same manner as is required for other official action of the board or commission. In determining the average processing expense, the board or commission may fix the amount at a full dollar amount that is an even multiple of ten (10).

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citation: 18-5-5.5-15 part.]

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.28. Amended by P.L.59-1986, SEC.11; P.L.68-2010, SEC.4; P.L.247-2015, SEC.46.