Cameron County launches aggressive plan to collect unpaid fines

In a recent meeting, Cameron County officials discussed the approval of a series of resolutions aimed at enhancing the collection of unpaid fines and fees through a partnership with Linebarger, Goggin, Blair, and Samson LLP. The proposed measures include a contract for collection services and the implementation of a \"scofflaw\" program, which would prevent individuals with outstanding traffic violations from renewing their vehicle registrations.

Jeff Garcia, managing partner at Linebarger’s Brownsville office, presented the initiative, highlighting the county's existing success in collecting delinquent accounts. He noted that the new scofflaw program would serve as an additional tool to improve collection rates, which currently stand at around 60%. The program will target approximately 68,000 eligible accounts, with an estimated total of $21.5 million owed to the county.

The scofflaw process involves an agreement between Cameron County and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to flag vehicle registration records of individuals with overdue fines. This approach focuses on the registered owner's driver's license rather than individual vehicles, allowing for a broader reach in enforcing payment. Garcia emphasized that the program would respect due process, ensuring that individuals have the opportunity to resolve their debts before any registration holds are placed.

Key components of the initiative include timely notifications to the DMV regarding case resolutions, which will facilitate the removal of registration blocks once debts are settled. The county will also establish an escrow account to manage the financial aspects of the program, with Linebarger overseeing the setup and administration.

The court's approval of these measures is seen as a significant step towards improving the county's financial recovery efforts and addressing the backlog of unpaid fines and fees.