§ 10-128. Assessment of escaped property; notice; limitation.

(a)

If any real estate liable for taxation is unassessed or has been unassessed for any previous year or years, or has been so assessed that the assessment was void, it shall be the duty of the assessors for the County at once to value the same and list the property for each year it has escaped taxation. Immediately thereafter the assessors shall report the assessment to the Council. The Council shall set a day for considering the same and putting such property on the assessment books of the County.

(b)

The Council shall cause notice to be served upon the owner of each piece of such property or his agent, or the person in possession thereof, at least ten (10) days before the assessment of the time, when and place where the assessment will be made, and that the owner or his representative may then attend and be heard in the premises. If there is no person found on the property to be assessed a copy of the notice shall be posted conspicuously on the property. Each of the notices shall be returned to the Council with the service made endorsed thereon, and be preserved.

(c)

No property which has escaped taxation shall be liable to assessment and taxation under this Section for a period of more than three (3) years prior to the last Monday in March next following such assessment. Any property assessed as above shall be immediately liable for the State and County taxes for each year it has escaped taxation at the rate of the tax fixed for such year. The taxes shall be a first lien thereon and be collected by the Director of Finance, in the manner of collecting the current levy provided by law.

(Laws 1902, ch. 331, Sec. 116F; PLL 1912, Art. 17, Sec. 224; PLL 1930, Art. 17, Sec. 358; 1943 Code, Sec. 457; 1953 Code, Sec. 495)