Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Award a Contract to Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, and Sampson, LLP for the Collection of Delinquent Fines, Costs, and Fees
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Earlier budget preparation and revenue projections.
MEETING DATE: March 2, 2010
DEPARTMENT: Municipal Court
CONTACT: Mary Jane Grubb, Municipal Court Administrator
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
· Approve Resolution for award of contract to Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, & Sampson.
ITEM SUMMARY:
· Staff requests approval for contract award to Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, & Sampson for the collection of delinquent court ordered fines, costs, and fees.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
· Code of Criminal Procedure, sec. 103.0031 allows the governing body of a county or municipality to contract with a private attorney or vendor for collection of fines or fees ordered paid by a court serving the county or municipality. The county or municipality can allow the private contractor to charge collection fees to the defendant in addition to the debt ordered by the court. This fee can be 30 percent of a debt that is more than 60 days overdue. An indigent defendant or a defendant unable to pay the debt is not subject to any collection fee.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
· N/A
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
· The court has a total of $4,214,577 in outstanding unadjudicated (no judgment) cases that are delinquent sixty (60) or more days.
· The court has a total of $1,674,771 in outstanding adjudicated (has judgment) cases that are sixty (60) or more days delinquent.
· As of January 29, 2010, there is a total of $5,889,349 in outstanding fines, costs, and fees that are sixty (60) or more days delinquent.
· 30% collection fee will be added to cases that were filed after June 18, 2003; the defendant will bear this fee.
· 30% collection fee can not be added to cases that were filed prior to June 18, 2003; however, Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, & Sampson have agreed to collect on those cases...
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