[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6101470,"mediaKeyId","2809051-f3d7c0be50adbf7184917c496f5261fb","parentId",2809051,"title","Bandera council approves contingent-fee collections contract for court fines, terminates existing firm","audioSeconds",1765,"startMs",1531000,"endMs",3296000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2809051-f3d7c0be50adbf7184917c496f5261fb&start=1531&end=3296","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2809051-f3d7c0be50adbf7184917c496f5261fb/thumbnail_1531000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6101470/Texas/Bandera-council-approves-contingent-fee-collections-contract-for-court-fines-terminates-existing-firm","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101470-c798c97763079b1fd405468cd788415b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163861&Signature=bcSh-VfJxf219D4Dyt7XPamlkorxkiLMLPNVW0dnFHLCbJ8pqq5PKDVFyECjbDM~Io6DuguJh1xPh4OSb1dLLO~UlYWPQBqwqdoS8sfm01ZxuMDVAE4kI4~l7zvjq2Y4krMqe0wxMFFWpJHXsK9uCK4lcnHr6VGw~QPaow5lhFCs79FyXn~iyaZgrM7sDNlzcJFMz4TBu5zI7gG7fIR7O-grQczgE1AFoeiafABEeVu5Ubh8PT6V791MhKAc5GoVKBxykjrGLOunpeZ8mUvZIMCyaeVWnl49dlJxE0vR2OkvhYmn-lBkhEjg5Wtk7n0RUg0yvMcaXD0ZLEknnVCjdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-28T14:08:09.037Z","article","The City of Bandera City Council voted unanimously to approve a contingent-fee contract with an outside collections law firm for collection of municipal court fines and fees and to terminate the city’s existing collection company.

Councilmembers said they sought a vendor that would provide more active collection and transparency. Representatives from the firm described a statewide collections program that includes a web portal for court staff, monthly reporting to the city administrator, skip tracing for locating defendants, coordinated marshal/warrant campaigns and text-message outreach. The firm told the council that, as described in the meeting, an add‑on collection fee for fines and fees is statutory and typically added to outstanding balances at 30%.

A city judge and councilmembers pressed for metrics and background on outstanding balances. Council asked the judge and staff to provide numbers on how much is currently outstanding and how previous vendors performed. The firm’s representative said success depends on case age and locality; during the meeting the vendor described a typical collection rate for relatively recent cases in the market at roughly 35–40%, while utility collection and older cases may collect at significantly lower rates.

Debbie Green moved to terminate the existing collection firm and to retain the firm named in the motion (as recorded in the meeting). Lynn Palmer seconded the motion; the council voted 4–0 in favor.

The contract is for a contingent-fee arrangement and includes termination and wrap-up provisions that a representative said would allow the city to end the contract with notice and receive a transition period to close accounts. Councilmembers requested staff provide the current outstanding amounts and a comparison of commission structures before any long-term commitments beyond the approved contract.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 11, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The City of Bandera City Council voted 4–0 to approve a contingent-fee contract with a collections law firm to pursue municipal court fines and fees and to terminate the city’s current collection company.","taxTitle","City of Bandera, Bandera County, Texas","taxId",79599,"location","Texas","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6101475,"Bandera council renews Republic Services lease for five years beginning Oct. 1, 2025",958,520000,1478000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2809051-f3d7c0be50adbf7184917c496f5261fb&start=520&end=1478","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2809051-f3d7c0be50adbf7184917c496f5261fb/thumbnail_520000.jpg","/articles/6101475/Texas/Bandera-council-renews-Republic-Services-lease-for-five-years-beginning-Oct-1-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101475-5cf0a8260c4b242fd20781e888212ff9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163861&Signature=hL5Prjb1r4gLIMNCoe7CblQgq6Bw38vAQ7zgrnRxURfP2QZvTxKn37KE-DxExxxsC-d5qInDI2acyE8zjzxEpr7QpvsqPC4q0Ieb2r33bhWFYdCyX7XLjzPIc8frdSTk4uhmT42S0DFueSHVmlHbsuQnG0NNVw0WEaZngAZkGLwC7QBkD1LqSO4ZZMFiviA17hLNXC460cJT8eEcOvJQEjienn4NO1CD6zOEHd1OSo7N3UScwQOuckpJd6t4fh0yaWA2EyS~oOo4COov5~jODEzs8gL9RN7za0naWPN7k3AOFiwBxDn2KqfxLJUCGPClgXtbgKclWP9frJjlLORevA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Bandera City Council voted unanimously to renew the lease with BFI Waste Services of Texas LP, doing business as Republic Services of San Antonio, for an additional five-year term beginning Oct. 1, 2025.

The extension keeps the current fee schedule in place and, according to Republic representatives and city staff, requires no upfront payment or immediate fiscal impact to the city. The contract’s existing rate-adjustment clause (identified in the meeting as paragraph 7) caps annual adjustments at no less than 2% and no more than 5%.

Owen Crisp and Terry Golig of Republic Services told the council the company requested the extension in a February 13 letter and described the extension as “very favorable terms for the city.” Golig said, “there is no fiscal impact initially at all.” He also explained the rate-adjustment language, saying it “caps it at no more than 5 and no less than 2, right, percent.” City staff warned that if the city did not accept the extension, issuing a request for proposals would take months and could result in less favorable pricing.

Council members and residents asked about recycling and hazardous‑waste collection. Republic said it is developing a curbside hazardous‑waste pickup program and has requested approvals from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; officials estimated the extra service could cost roughly $1.50–$2.00 per household but said the dollar amount was not final. Republic also said municipalities could add or remove services later by amending the contract.

Councilmember Lynn Palmer moved to approve the five-year lease extension; a councilmember identified in the record as Brett seconded the motion. The council voted 4–0 in favor with no opposition.

Staff and Republic representatives emphasized the extension preserves current terms and allows the city to negotiate additional services, such as recycling or curbside hazardous waste collection, in the future.","The City of Bandera City Council voted unanimously to renew the lease with BFI Waste Services of Texas LP, doing business as Republic Services of San Antonio, for an additional five-year term beginning Oct. 1, 2025.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6101460,"EDC member Andrea Jankoski disputes council statements about 'Cowboy Christmas' funding, cites city ethics rules",192,144000,336000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2809051-f3d7c0be50adbf7184917c496f5261fb&start=144&end=336","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2809051-f3d7c0be50adbf7184917c496f5261fb/thumbnail_144000.jpg","/articles/6101460/Texas/EDC-member-Andrea-Jankoski-disputes-council-statements-about-Cowboy-Christmas-funding-cites-city-ethics-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101460-588afb515ea89475a2143a21ad1a1a61/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163861&Signature=SrlwhLyW7D~p~cQzbzhXq6yQpNEU1o8PDVhva~v3a9qCmD7K3bwm0ykHp4I61~7YmmuAlW-5cZKwO3WsPJxcCa-BVgrMX~LNyMaZjHNpIrAO0WHr3M-qmEekvUbiks1TCaQ~oziz58np6RMBpP9ImAXV9h6AyNO-2gsfyvl0pJY7S4vmKB9-wusGSLo9I8U61QuQqe1K-wfK01KoumKSLIZ9o0EqqT6-vAR7SYemPwiyz2fbrKNXI6DlAAw-a1ZsoPOP11rpUj7lZIJ83a2IvYC7L0scKbSIcHAiv5CTilZ2qbTrDzlYlKOssCB82ryoUUSmLeOcdeVXDyDcTYRDMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Andrea Jankoski, introduced in the meeting as an Economic Development Corporation member, told the council she read a local news article that included council comments about an EDC funding request for Cowboy Christmas and a citizen petition. She disputed several statements she said were false, including claims that EDC members went door-to-door and that donations fully covered event purchases.

Jankoski told the council the EDC voted twice to approve the expenditure in question and that the total cost exceeded business donations, contrary to the article’s suggestion. She said only one EDC member changed a vote and that EDC members did not sign the petition. She also asked the council to “get your facts straight” and to review the city’s ethics policy sections she cited in the meeting (1.04.0005 and 1.04.0006), which she said speak to conduct and respect for processes and rules of order.

Jankoski said her term on the EDC ends this month and that the remarks she challenged could affect her reappointment. She added she would continue to exercise her voice regardless of any appointment decisions. The council did not take action during the meeting in response to her comments.","Andrea Jankoski, an Economic Development Corporation (EDC) member, used public comment to challenge a local news article and council remarks about an EDC funding request for Cowboy Christmas, disputed statements about petition circulation and donations, and asked the council to review ethics policies she cited by section numbers.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6101465,"Bandera council debates parade safety measures; asks staff to study barriers, enforcement costs",939,3319000,4258000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2809051-f3d7c0be50adbf7184917c496f5261fb&start=3319&end=4258","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2809051-f3d7c0be50adbf7184917c496f5261fb/thumbnail_3319000.jpg","/articles/6101465/Texas/Bandera-council-debates-parade-safety-measures-asks-staff-to-study-barriers-enforcement-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101465-bf49443255f5b321930e64d6d35e9cf0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163861&Signature=cehxqxD52yRrjIBRhg04XU2yJk7OgHuOsTGRbERRieo1ZGbbb8F1BFYjs9c04PylJEp2k9BfYMyOV5Cy5kt98g6w--uyRt5zv1HUJAhHwz4IbwVBSUojM3cWo~zMFhyNrh7f5-7RaVkFMX9F1zTicjMCQZzOs5RcOD5LYpgIoUBFEgJzVeRtLZs-CacB9SFaUb0uOJoEJOcT-WcZRFRcnrCOUUA5AeL9yWxPs7gXMhQ6bEHIOzvl3Vx89nzci1vXKKIdkuLolnyvZLiwk8eM2n8VguM0x60jfbytvIENlhHRii8egoRdVtERCLkAymUigYvJhpBRAKaqUsTllsRIwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilmembers discussed public-safety and crowd-control issues at recent Bandera street parades and directed staff to return with options rather than taking immediate formal action.

Councilmember Culver said she placed the item on the agenda after watching a parade in which spectators stepped into the street to gather candy and beads, creating gaps that slowed floats and raised safety concerns. She told the council, “the people that are watching the parade cannot run up to the participants in the parade.” Members described gaps between floats, parents and children coming into the roadway, vendors standing in the street and at least one incident in which a parade vehicle stopped in the route.

Council discussed options including focused officer coverage at the parade’s first turn, rented or city‑owned barricades for the first block, higher concentration of marshal or motorcycle officers, and instituting an entry fee for parade participants with proceeds used to fund security. Several councilmembers noted cost constraints: motorcycle officers were described in the meeting as roughly $600 apiece by some accounts, and the council discussed barrier storage and logistics.

Earl (the marshal) and city staff were asked to look at barriers specifically for the first block and to provide cost estimates and implementation suggestions to the mayor and city administrator. Councilmembers suggested holding a workshop with the chamber, BBA and parade organizers to develop clearer rules for parade conduct and enforcement before upcoming holiday parades (Memorial Day and Labor Day were referenced). No vote or ordinance change occurred; the discussion resulted in direction to staff to return with options.","Councilmembers discussed safety problems at recent parades after spectators — including children — entered the street and slowed the parade. The council asked staff and the marshal to research barricade costs, increased law-enforcement presence and possible parade-entry fees to fund security; no ordinance or formal action was taken.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bandera council approves contingent-fee collections contract for court fines, terminates existing firm

Bandera council renews Republic Services lease for five years beginning Oct. 1, 2025

EDC member Andrea Jankoski disputes council statements about 'Cowboy Christmas' funding, cites city ethics rules

Bandera council debates parade safety measures; asks staff to study barriers, enforcement costs