(7)(c)
CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MTG
- Meeting Date:
- 06/18/2025
- Title:
- Authorize Contract for Collection Services to Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP
- Submitted For:
- Jon Branson
- Submitted By:
- Jon Branson, Management Services
- Department:
- Management Services
Information
ACTION REQUEST
Authorize the approval of a contingency fee contract for Collection Services for the collection of delinquent taxes and court fines and fees with Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP.
BACKGROUND (Brief Summary)
It is customary for municipal governments to hire a professional firm to collect delinquent ad valorem taxes owed to the City and also hire a firm to collect delinquent court fines and fees. For the past 21 years, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP has provided delinquent ad valorem tax collection services for the City and has done an outstanding job of serving the City of Texas City.
Furthermore, for the past 17 years, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP has also collected the unpaid fines, fees, and court costs for the City and has provided outstanding services for those services as well.
Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson is located in Texas City and has provided exemplary service to the City and are recognized as a leader in their industry. By entering into the proposed agreement, delinquent taxes, municipal court unpaid fines, fees and court costs will be collected by well-qualified, competent professionals who perform this specialized legal service to cities throughout the State of Texas.
The term of this proposed agreement is for a five (5) year period ending on June 17, 2030. The fee for these services for Delinquent Tax Collections is fifteen (15) percent of delinquent taxes collected and twenty (20) percent for all attorneys' fees awarded in a delinquent tax suit on behalf of the City. The fee for collection of delinquent Municipal Court fees and fines is thirty (30) percent of all the fines and fees collected.
Furthermore, for the past 17 years, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP has also collected the unpaid fines, fees, and court costs for the City and has provided outstanding services for those services as well.
Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson is located in Texas City and has provided exemplary service to the City and are recognized as a leader in their industry. By entering into the proposed agreement, delinquent taxes, municipal court unpaid fines, fees and court costs will be collected by well-qualified, competent professionals who perform this specialized legal service to cities throughout the State of Texas.
The term of this proposed agreement is for a five (5) year period ending on June 17, 2030. The fee for these services for Delinquent Tax Collections is fifteen (15) percent of delinquent taxes collected and twenty (20) percent for all attorneys' fees awarded in a delinquent tax suit on behalf of the City. The fee for collection of delinquent Municipal Court fees and fines is thirty (30) percent of all the fines and fees collected.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Commission authorize the Mayor to enter into a contingency fee contract for Collection Services to Linearger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP.
Furthermore, please note that a separate legal notice of this action was duly posted in accordance with Texas Government Code 2254.1036. Additionally, the attached Resolution contains certain findings required by state statute. And finally, a Texas Ethics Commission Form 1295 was submitted by the recommended firm as required.
Furthermore, please note that a separate legal notice of this action was duly posted in accordance with Texas Government Code 2254.1036. Additionally, the attached Resolution contains certain findings required by state statute. And finally, a Texas Ethics Commission Form 1295 was submitted by the recommended firm as required.