Three attorneys representing rival tax-collection firms addressed the Plano Independent School District Board of Trustees during the public-comment period on agenda item 7.11, urging trustees to select their firms for the districts delinquent-tax contract.
Erin Minette Hutto, introduced herself as "managing partner of the Plano office of Purdue Bridal Fielder Collins Amott," and asked trustees not to switch collection firms. "I'm confident that no other firm is equipped to meet or exceed the level of performance that you've received from us over the last 5 years," Hutto said, adding that Purdue had been the district's tax collection counsel and community partner.
Paul Lopez, who identified himself as "the managing director of the tax section of Abernathy, Rotor, Boyd and Hullet," thanked the committee for recommending his firm and noted his teams long relationships with district clients. "Our firm has represented Plano ISD for over 20 years," Lopez said, adding that the firm looked forward to a long relationship with the district.
Richard Abernathy, who identified himself as Richard Abernathy of the Abernathy law firm, also spoke in favor of his firm's service capacity, recounting the firm's long history and its prior work for Plano ISD. "Its a privilege to represent the Plano Independent School District," Abernathy said.
The public comment segment recorded speakersremarks and their affiliations but did not include a board vote or formal action on agenda item 7.11 during the open meeting. The board later moved to closed session at 6:02 p.m. and reconvened in open session at 8:08 p.m.; the transcript does not show a decision or vote on the delinquent-tax contract after those remarks.
Because the transcript does not capture any subsequent motion or vote for item 7.11, this report does not characterize which firm, if any, the board ultimately selected.
For more detail: the public-comment speakers named the agenda item as 7.11 when they were called, and each of the three speakers used their allotted time to make a direct appeal to trustees.