Alabama § 11-88-79 - Manner of Payment of Assessments Generally.

§ 11-88-79. Manner of Payment of Assessments Generally.

The authority, in ordering any improvement the cost of which or any part thereof is to be assessed against any property in accordance with the provisions of this article, may provide that the same shall be paid in cash within 30 days after the final assessment; provided, that the cost of such improvement does not exceed $25.00. If the total cost of the said improvement is greater than such sum, any property owner may, at his election, to be expressed by notifying the official of the authority charged with the duty of collecting such assessments in writing within 30 days after the assessment is made final, pay the said assessment in 10 equal installments which shall bear interest at not exceeding eight percent per annum, payable annually; provided, however, that if the assessment against any lot or parcel of land does not exceed $25.00, the said assessment must be paid in cash within 30 days after the assessment is made final as above provided. Any person may pay the whole assessment against any lot or parcel of land within 30 days from the time the assessment is made and may at any installment period pay the assessment in full by paying the full amount of the installments, together with all accrued interest thereon. Should the property owner desire to pay off the deferred installments between the dates on which they are due, he shall pay interest on the same until the succeeding installment period. The first installment shall be payable within 30 days after the assessment is made final and all assessments or installments thereof shall be payable at the office of the secretary or treasurer of the authority, as may be prescribed, and all assessments or installments thereof shall bear interest at not exceeding eight percent per annum after the expiration of 30 days from the date on which the same is made final, which interest shall be due and payable at the time and place the assessment or installment is due and payable. In all cases where the property owner does not elect to pay in installments or, having elected to pay in installments, fails to pay the first installment in 30 days from the date of assessment, he shall be held to have waived the right to pay in installments and the entire assessment shall at the expiration of the said 30 days become due and payable.