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PUBLIC NOTICE HIDALGO COUNTY OCTOBER 15, 2024 10:00 A.M. |
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF A MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS IN CONSIDERATION OF ACTION TO APPROVE THE SELECTION OF PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES (Pursuant to Section 2254.1036 of the Texas Government Code and Tax Code Sections 6.30, 33.07, 33.08, 33.11, and 33.48 for the collection of delinquent tax collections services)
Notice is hereby given that the Commissioners Court of the County of Hidalgo, Texas (the County) will be conducting a meeting on Tuesday, October 15th, 2024 at 10:00am at the Hidalgo County Commissioners Courtroom located in the Hidalgo County Courthouse Annex III, 100 E. Cano, Edinburg, Texas for the purpose of considering and taking action on all matters on the agenda for the meeting, including approval of an agreement with the law firm of Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP as special counsel to perform all legal services necessary to collect delinquent property taxes and authorizing the execution of such agreement.
The agreement to be considered is necessary for the delinquent taxes owed to Hidalgo County to be collected in the most effective manner. The County desires that such delinquent tax, penalties and interest be collected as provided in the Texas Tax Code.
The Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP firm is fully qualified to provide this representation, being the largest delinquent tax collection law firm in the State of Texas, as well as the United States and having been engaged in this specialized legal service for more than 45 years. In addition, the Linebarger Goggan Blair and Sampson, LLP firm possesses infrastructure and technology, such as call center technology, that the County does not currently possess.
Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP has represented Hidalgo County for the past 6 years with competence and professionalism, in the collection of delinquent property taxes, beginning on January 1, 2015.
The specialized legal services required by this agreement cannot be adequately performed by the attorneys and supporting personnel of Hidalgo County due to the high cost of implementing the appropriate infrastructure and technology and employing sufficient in- house attorneys and staff with the level of experience and competence necessary to perform these activities.
Linebarger will be compensated on a contingent fee basis as provided in the Texas Tax Code Sections 6.30, 33.07, 33.08, 33.11, and 33.48. These Texas Tax Code sections specifically provide for an additional penalty on delinquent taxes to compensate collection attorneys. A contract to pay inside or outside attorneys on an hourly basis would represent an additional cost to the County.
Entering into the proposed agreement is in the best interests of the residents of the County because the delinquent taxes will be professionally and competently collected without the additional costs to Hidalgo County of implementing infrastructure and technology, and employing in-house personnel or paying outside counsel on an hourly fee basis which would otherwise be required.
The agreement to be considered is necessary for the delinquent taxes owed to Hidalgo County to be collected in the most effective manner. The County desires that such delinquent tax, penalties and interest be collected as provided in the Texas Tax Code.
The Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP firm is fully qualified to provide this representation, being the largest delinquent tax collection law firm in the State of Texas, as well as the United States and having been engaged in this specialized legal service for more than 45 years. In addition, the Linebarger Goggan Blair and Sampson, LLP firm possesses infrastructure and technology, such as call center technology, that the County does not currently possess.
Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP has represented Hidalgo County for the past 6 years with competence and professionalism, in the collection of delinquent property taxes, beginning on January 1, 2015.
The specialized legal services required by this agreement cannot be adequately performed by the attorneys and supporting personnel of Hidalgo County due to the high cost of implementing the appropriate infrastructure and technology and employing sufficient in- house attorneys and staff with the level of experience and competence necessary to perform these activities.
Linebarger will be compensated on a contingent fee basis as provided in the Texas Tax Code Sections 6.30, 33.07, 33.08, 33.11, and 33.48. These Texas Tax Code sections specifically provide for an additional penalty on delinquent taxes to compensate collection attorneys. A contract to pay inside or outside attorneys on an hourly basis would represent an additional cost to the County.
Entering into the proposed agreement is in the best interests of the residents of the County because the delinquent taxes will be professionally and competently collected without the additional costs to Hidalgo County of implementing infrastructure and technology, and employing in-house personnel or paying outside counsel on an hourly fee basis which would otherwise be required.