SUBJECT
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Consideration to authorize the City Manager to enter into and execute a Professional Collection Services contract between the City of Laredo and Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP, for the collection of fines and fees owed to the City of Laredo Municipal Court. Contract is for a one (1) year term, with ability to automatically extend for an additional one (1) year period and automatic renewal of two (2) successive one-year term thereafter.
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PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION
On February 18, 2020, council approved a Professional Collection Contract with Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP. Contract was for a one (1) year term, with up to three (3) additional, one-year extension period.
BACKGROUND
Laredo Municipal Court is currently in a contract for collection services with Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP. Contracting for collection services is a standard practice of fine and judgment enforcement in municipal courts across Texas. Contracting for collection services facilitates the expansion of collection efforts beyond the court’s in-house methods, which include, but are not limited to, payment reminders and past due notifications via text, and notices of delinquency via electronic and regular mail. With the continuous objective of maximizing the court’s efficiency in decreasing the number of inactive cases, Laredo Municipal Court is requesting to contract for collection services with Linebarger Goggin, Blair & Sampson, LLP.
Cases to be referred to collection services will be dependent on the number of actual delinquent cases. The court will continue in-house collection efforts; cases eligible for referral to collection services will be cases that become delinquent for sixty (60) days or more.
There is no cost to the city as all transfer of case information is done electronically and payment of services to Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP is based on the collection fee paid to the City by defendants on their individual cases.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends approval of contract.
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Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Year: 2024
Budgeted Y/N?: Click or tap here to enter text.
Source of Funds: General Fund
Account #: Click or tap here to enter text.
Change Order: Exceeds 25% Y/N: Click or tap here to enter text.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Any collections of fines will be deposited into General Fund.