15-16-506. Civil action to collect delinquent taxes. (1) A taxing jurisdiction may bring a civil action to collect the entire balance due of delinquent property taxes when the amount equals $250,000 or more owed to all taxing jurisdictions.

(2) A civil action may be brought as provided in this section for property to which a tax lien was attached pursuant to 15-17-125 and for which no assignment was made pursuant to 15-17-323 within 3 years of the attachment of the tax lien.

(3) The taxing jurisdiction shall bring the civil action in the district court of the county in which the property is located.

(4) Reasonable attorney fees must be awarded to the prevailing party in an action brought pursuant to this section.

(5) If the taxing jurisdiction prevails in the civil action provided for in this section, the taxpayer shall pay interest and penalties as provided in 15-16-101(1)(b). The interest and penalties must be distributed to the funds to which the taxes are distributed in the same proportion as the taxes are distributed.