Hooper staff propose third‑party collections pilot to reduce long‑running utility delinquencies

Hooper City staff proposed exploring a contract with a third‑party collection agency after reporting hundreds of long‑past due utility accounts that have periodically been written off.

City staff told the council Monica Barnes, the utility clerk, recommended a collections agreement with Bonneville Collections. Staff said the collection agency would add a fee charged to the delinquent account holder so the city would not pay the fee directly. Council members asked for clarification about whether the agency would buy debt or only collect on behalf of the city; staff said that point needs confirming…