LIENS FOR ASSESSMENTS; SUITS TO RECOVER ASSESSMENTS.

(a) An assessment imposed on property under this chapter is a personal obligation of the person who owns the property on January 1 of the year for which the assessment is imposed. If the person transfers title to the property, the person is not relieved of the obligation.

(b) On January 1 of the year for which an assessment is imposed on a property, a lien attaches to the property to secure the payment of the assessment and any interest accrued on the assessment. The lien has the same priority as a lien for district taxes.

(c) Not later than the fourth anniversary of the date on which a delinquent assessment became due, the district may file suit to foreclose the lien or to enforce the obligation for the assessment, or both, and for any interest accrued.

(d) In addition to recovering the amount of the assessment and any accrued interest, the district may recover reasonable costs, including attorney's fees, that the district incurs in foreclosing the lien or enforcing the obligation. The costs may not exceed an amount equal to 20 percent of the assessment and interest.

(e) If the district does not file a suit in connection with a delinquent assessment on or before the last date on which the district may file suit under Subsection (c), the assessment and any interest accrued is considered paid.