Delinquent tax collections: third‑party collector reports 54% recovery so far on 2023 roll; fine-and-fee outreach expands to text messaging

A collections firm reporting to the Walker County Commissioners Court on May 5 outlined the county’s delinquent tax roll and fine-and-fee collections and said the county is seeing steady recovery while many accounts remain in deferral or litigation.

Leslie (collections manager for PBF) summarized the delinquent tax roll categories: roughly 31% of accounts are in property tax deferral status (typically age 65/disability deferrals), about 30% are action‑pending accounts the firm is actively contacting, and about 27% are in litigation. The presenter said the appraisal district collects roughly 95% of current taxes annually; the amounts turned over to the collector represent the delinquencies that remain for collection.

On historical collection rates, Leslie said the firm has collected about 54% of the 2023 delinquent roll turned over last July. She described the firm’s outreach program — phone calls, letters, title research, payment agreements and litigation where necessary — and said the firm monitors payment agreements and litigates when agreements default.

On fines and fees for justice courts, the presenter said PBF can add a 30% penalty (allowed by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure) on accounts turned over for collection and that the office has expanded outreach with text messages (about 17,858 texts were sent during the reported period), postcards and phone contact; approximately 35% of cases are being resolved by dismissal or payment after outreach.

Commissioners thanked the presenters and asked questions about mapping of hotspot ZIP codes and whether the firm would present to other courts; the presenter said she would return with more detail if requested.