DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliott
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Contract for the Collection of Delinquent Property Taxes
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing a contract for the collection of delinquent property taxes with the law firms of Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP and Escamilla & Poneck, LLP ("LGB&S") for an initial five year term beginning January 1, 2014 and ending December 31, 2018, with up to one (1) five year renewal term at the City's option upon City Council approval.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City contracts with qualified law firms for the collection of delinquent property taxes. Although the City recognizes that there are many organizations that have expertise in the field of delinquent collections, state law requires contracts which are funded from an additional penalty levied under the authority of Section 33.07 of the Texas Property Tax Code ("Tax Code") are limited to the services of private attorneys (Section 6.30 of the Tax Code). For this reason, the City limits its acceptance of proposals to those submitted by law firms.
The firm under contract assumes complete responsibility for the collection of delinquent property taxes under the authority of the City Charter, the Tax Code, and subject to the rules and guidelines issued by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Services provided include calculation of penalties, interest and fees using data received from the Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector, mailing notices, providing a customer service center, filing lawsuits and bankruptcy claims as required, and seizure and sale of property.
On September 1, 2013, the City released a Request for Proposal ("RFP") for the Collection of Delinquent Property Taxes. The RFP was published in the San Antonio Express News and posted on the City website on September 1, 2013. On September 3, 2013, the RFP was emailed to four (4) law firms. On October 2, 2013, one (1...
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