If the payment of a special assessment, which has not been certified to the county auditor for collection, is not made by the time stipulated in the ordinance providing therefor, the amount assessed, with interest, and a forfeiture of ten per cent thereon, may be recovered by suit before a county court, municipal court, or other court of competent jurisdiction, in the name of the municipal corporation, to enforce the lien against the lots and lands charged with such assessment.
Proceedings for the recovery of the assessment may be instituted by the municipal corporation to enforce the lien, against all the lots or lands, or any of them embraced in any one assessment, but the judgment or decree shall be rendered severally or separately for the amount assessed. Any proceeding may be severed, in the discretion of the court, for the purpose of trial, review, or appeal when an appeal is allowed.
In proceedings to enforce the lien, when the owner of any lot or land assessed is a nonresident of this state, or is unknown, notice shall be given by publication in the manner prescribed by a law in similar cases.