Whenever anyone gives or causes to be given to the city of Vancouver or any office or department thereof any check or instrument drawn on any bank or financial institution in purported payment of any obligation to the city, and the check or instrument is subsequently dishonored or unpaid because of improper signature, or because the drawer has no account in the financial institution or because the drawer has insufficient funds in the financial institution, then in any of these events the department of finance may, commencing January 1, 2002, add a sum not to exceed fifty dollars to the obligation due to the city as a reasonable handling fee pursuant to RCW 62A.3-515. The maximum amount of such handling fee shall be adjusted in accordance with the formula set forth in that part of ordinance M-3129 codified as VMC 3.05.080. Such fee shall, within the maximum set by this ordinance, be established by the department of finance and is to cover the additional costs to the city caused by such action of the drawer. Any receipt which the city had given upon payment by the check later dishonored shall be null and void, and no other receipt shall be given for the payment of the original indebtedness until the additional charge also has been paid. Such sums may be collected in the same manner as any other debt due the city, according to procedures established by the department of finance for cost-effective collections. In addition to or as an alternate to such remedies, if such dishonored check has not been paid within fifteen days after the city has given notice under RCW 62A.3-520, the city may pursue collection pursuant to RCW 62A.3-515. (Ord. M-3575, Amended, 12/17/2001; Ord. M-2813 § 1, 1989; Ord. M-673 § 1, 1963; Ord. M-3575, Amended, 12/17/2001)