Board selects Purdue Brandon for delinquent tax collection after competing presentations

The Mercedes ISD Board of Trustees heard competing presentations from two firms that responded to the district’s request for delinquent‑tax attorney services and voted to award the contract to Purdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott (Purdue Brandon).

Two firms presented: a representative of Purdue Brandon reviewed the district’s historical collection rates and urged a return to the firm’s earlier performance, and Linebarger partners Kelly Rivera Salazar and Jimmy Gonzales summarized Linebarger’s 24‑year relationship with Mercedes ISD and argued for continuity. Purdue Brandon’s presentation cited Hidalgo County tax‑assessor certified numbers and said the district’s collection rate peaked at 25.54% during years when Purdue Brandon previously served and had declined to 17.77% in the most recent certified year. Linebarger acknowledged a down year in the district’s collections but said its year‑to‑date collections were ahead of the prior year, and that refunds tied to appraisal‑district protests and homestead increases have complicated year‑to‑date comparisons.

After trustee discussion, Trustee Hernandez moved to award the delinquent‑tax attorney contract to Purdue Brandon, and the motion passed by a 3–2 vote with one abstention. The board’s subsequent motion authorized the board president and the district’s new counsel to provide appropriate notice of termination to the incumbent firm; that motion carried by the same margin.

Ending: The board’s selection will require administrative follow‑up to finalize contract documents and to coordinate any transition of work and accountings with the Hidalgo County tax office and the incumbent firm.