HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11 - Court Fines and FeesMEMO TO:
FROM:
MEETING DATE:
SUBJECT:
RECOMMENDATION:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER
JANUARY 20, 2015
RENEWAL OF CONTRACT FOR COLLECTION OF OVERDUE
MUNICIPAL COURT FINES AND FEES
City Council to consider approving a resolution authorizing an extension of the contract for
court fees and fines collection services with Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP for
a two year period.
In February of 2002 the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract
with the law firm of Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP to collect delinquent
municipal court fines and fees. The initial term of the contract was for two years with the
contract continued on a month-to-month basis unless canceled or renewed.
As of December 31, 2014, the Municipal Court had assigned 32,637 cases to the firm to
attempt to recover $12,505,054.65 in fines and fees. The firm has been able to collect
$2,596,720.88 (cash payment cases). The firm has also worked 8,641 non-cash credit
cases for Municipal Court for $3,357,932.93. The non-cash "canceled cases" are time
served, community services or police interaction cases in which the law firm does not
receive a fee on these cases. The collection recovery rates are a total of all older and
newer cases submitted to the law firm. As of December 31, 2014 they have received fees
for collection services in the amount of $833,422. A graph reflecting the cumulative
collection efforts since inception is attached.
Staff recommends approval of authorization to renew the contract for an additional two
year period.
GRAPEVINE (TX) -DELINQUENT COURT FEES AND FINES
Cumulative Collections
June 2002 - December 2014
$1,286,704
$1,090,210
$912,756
$766,836 � M 0
$458,373
$327,937 �
$2,637,519
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Source: Law firm records.
Note: Cumulative collections figures are from June 2002 through December 2014.
GRAPEVINE (TX) -DELINQUENT COURT FEES AND FINES
Annual Collections
June 2002 - December 2014
$496,680
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Source: Law firm records.
Note: Cumulative collections figures are from June 2002 through December 2014.
RESOLUTION NO. C0 U47- F6� S
WHEREAS, the City of Grapevine City Council approved a contract for Court Fees
and Fines Collection Services with the firm of Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP
(the "Contract") on February 5, 2002; and
WHEREAS, the Contract provides for a two-year initial term and a City option to
extend the Contract for two additional two year terms; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to extend the Contract by one additional two year term;
and
WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites for the adoption of this resolution have been met,
including but not limited to the Local Government Code and the Open Meetings Act; and
WHEREAS, the City Council hereby declares that the approval of this resolution is in
the best interests of the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS:
Section 1. That all matters stated in the preamble are true and correct as if copied
herein in their entirety.
Section 2. That the City Council of the City of Grapevine hereby approves the
extension of the Contract for one additional two-year term, and authorizes the City
Manager, or his designee, to execute any documents necessary to execute such
extension.
Section 3. That this resolution shall take effect from and after the date of its
passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS on this the 21th day of January, 2015.
LAI a
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