Linebarger reports increase in delinquent‑tax collection activity, files and judgments for 2024–25 fiscal year

A partner from Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson presented Southside ISD trustees with a year‑end summary Oct. 15 of delinquent‑tax collection activity covering July 2024 through June 2025.

Ronald Rocha reported the firm’s collection work included multiple mass and targeted mailings, outbound call campaigns and in‑office taxpayer contacts. He told trustees the firm issued more than 2,000 mass mailings and handled thousands of outbound calls and inbound taxpayer inquiries; the office recorded more than 1,158 payment arrangements during the year. Rocha said the firm filed 98 lawsuits totaling roughly $411,000 in taxes and obtained more than 44 judgments; he described the subsequent processes including service of citation, payment‑arrangement options and the sheriff’s tax‑sale process.

Rocha explained the firm’s title‑search and skip‑trace work: returned mail triggers a skip trace and additional outreach efforts to locate taxpayers and encourage payment or to identify correct property ownership for litigation. He described business‑personal‑property procedures (including walk‑and‑talk door visits) and noted that dismissals generally indicate the taxpayer paid the amount set by the lawsuit, not a loss to the district. Linebarger reported 1 property sold at tax sale and 12 active bankruptcy claims during the period.

Trustees asked about dismissed suits, outreach and whether the firm conducts community workshops; Rocha offered to coordinate education sessions with the appraisal district and tax office on protest and exemption windows. The presentation included summary charts showing collection totals by year and an overall improvement in collection rates since 2019.

Ending: Trustees thanked the presenter and asked staff to coordinate outreach workshops; no formal action was required.