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La Porte ISD board lets proposed delinquent-tax contract die after presentations and public plea
Summary
After presentations from the incumbent firm and a competing vendor, the La Porte ISD board did not make a motion to approve a new delinquent-tax collection agreement and the item died for lack of a motion; trustees directed administration to return with options including an RFP.
Jason Bailey, a lawyer who said he represents Purdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, told the La Porte Independent School District board that his firm has represented the district for 27 years in delinquent-tax collections, audits and appeals and was surprised by termination notices. "We were very shocked when we got the termination letters," Bailey said, asking the board to table the contract item, issue a request for proposals and allow competition.
District administration introduced representatives from Linebarger, including Tanya Erickson Wood, who described Linebarger's 50-year history in delinquent-tax work and said the firm offers technology, audit and appeals services, bankruptcy and foreclosure teams, and governmental affairs support. "We provide innovative collection programs and state-of-the-art technology," Wood said.
Trustees debated whether the district should authorize the administration to enter a contract with the new firm without issuing a formal RFP for a service that district leaders estimated involves millions of dollars in recoveries. Board members acknowledged the incumbent's long relationship with the district and commended past service, while also noting the district's interest in seeking any additional revenue that could help a deficit budget.
When the president asked for a motion to approve the delinquent-tax contract and resolution number 2025-09 was read into the record, no trustee moved. The chair declared the item to have "died" for lack of a motion; trustees said the matter would be revisited by administration and could be brought back after an RFP or other option was explored. The board did not take a formal vote approving a contract on the item.
The public comment and presentations underscored competing priorities: continuity and fairness to a long-serving firm versus a formal competitive procurement that could test whether additional revenue or services are available. The board's next step, as stated in the meeting, is for district administration to return with options.
