O-2009-3191 Perdue,Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott, LLP-collection of delinquent court fees and fines

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ORDINANCE NO. 3.J.E..L AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH PERDUE, BRANDON, FIELDER, COLLINS & MOTT, LLP FOR THE COLLECTION OF DELINQUENT COURT FEES AND FINES; PROVIDING FOR A FEE TO DEFRAY COSTS OF COLLECTING DELINQUENT FINES, FEES, AND OTHER DEBTS PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 103.0031 OF THE TEXAS CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN OPEN MEETINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. WHEREAS, Article 103.0031 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure authorizes the City of La Porte City Council to contract with a private firm for the collection of the fees listed above and to impose an additional collection fee in the amount of thirty percent on each debt or account receivable that is more than sixty days past due and which has been referred to the private firm for collection; and WHEREAS, the La Porte City Council has determined that it is in the public interest to ensure the prompt payment of delinquent court-imposed fines and fees as provided by said statute; and WHEREAS, the City of La Porte wishes to enter into a contract with a private firm, Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott LLP (Perdue), to provide services for the collection of debts and accounts receivable, i.e.: fines, fees, restitution, other debts, and costs ordered to be paid by a court serving the City; WHEREAS, the City Council deems it in the public interest to pass this Ordinance authorizing the collection of delinquent fines, fees and other debts; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS: SECTION 1. FINDINGS. The foregoing recitals are hereby found to be true and correct and are hereby adopted by the City Council and made a part of this Ordinance for all purposes as findings of fact. SECTION 2. The Mayor is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with the Perdue Firm to provide services for the collection of fines, fees and other debts substantially in the form of the attached contract which is made a part of this Ordinance for all purposes. SECTION 3. In accordance with Article 103.0031 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, there is hereby imposed an additional fee of thirty percent on all debts and accounts receivable, i.e.: fines, fees, restitution, other debts, and costs that are more than sixty days past due and have been referred to a private firm (Perdue) for collection.