More than $100,000 in delinquent solid waste disposal fees has been collected by Lawrence County Government in the last two weeks, as an important deadline looms against remaining delinquent accounts.

County officials are reminding those affected that today is the deadline for delinquent solid waste disposal fee accounts to be paid in full prior to a lawsuit being filed. A demand letter was mailed to the affected customers on April 1. Since that time, county officials report that more than $100,000 has been paid toward the delinquent accounts.

Following today?s deadline, a series of steps will commence, beginning with the filing of a lawsuit on or about May 1, 2009. The first step following the filing will be publication of names, addresses and amounts of delinquent accounts in the newspaper. Secondly, delinquent customers can accept service of process at the office of accounts and budgets. Thirdly, a waiver of summons will be issued by first class mail to the delinquent customer. If the above measures fail, the Sheriff?s Department will serve the Summons and Complaint on the delinquent customer at their home, work, or place of business, which will increase the court costs. Judgment will be sought after service of process has been achieved.