Van Zandt County court and clerk officials told commissioners they are rolling out new case-management and collections functionality (referred to as iFile in the meeting) and expect to begin paid licensing on Oct. 1. Staff said the software has automated text, phone and mailed notices and will improve early contact points to increase fee and fine collections.

Why it matters: County officials said collection success is materially higher in the first 90 days after assessment. "Your chances of collection are greater in the first 90 days," a county official said. Commissioners and the judge framed better collections as one route to reducing pressure on the general fund without broad cuts to services.

Key details: Court staff said much of the software work had been provided pro bono through the implementation phase and that two paid licenses would be activated beginning Oct. 1. Staff described a process that can generate show-cause proceedings or warrants when defendants do not pay and said the software will better track when to present cases to judges for enforcement.

Jury-fee issue: Commissioners asked whether the county can recoup juror costs when a plea is entered late or a case proceeds to trial and then resolves by plea. Judges and clerks explained the reimbursement rules and noted limits: the county pays juror stipends and receives partial reimbursement from the state for days in trial, but last-minute pleas still cost the county in postage, staffing and jury administration. The judge said some defendants can be required to pay jury-related costs as a condition of probation or as restitution in certain cases, and staff said the county's new software will help identify and pursue outstanding obligations earlier.

Next steps: Licensing for iFile will start Oct. 1; county staff will prepare monthly reports on collections activity and work with judges and clerks to identify collection and warrant workflows that can be automated or prioritized to improve early recovery.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to provide a monthly collections report to the court after implementation and to coordinate with the probation office on defendants' outstanding financial obligations.