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Collection Service Board notes $45,753 deficit, member resignation and directs review of civil penalties
Summary
Executive director Gin Bankley reported a $45,753 operating deficit and the resignation of board member Greg Sworsky; the board also instructed staff to draft a civil-penalty matrix to propose updated fines and voted to approve future meeting dates.
The Tennessee Collection Service Board on April 8 received a director's report that the board is operating at a $45,753 deficit through February 2026 and that board member Greg Sworsky has resigned for health reasons. The board unanimously approved meeting dates through 2027 and directed staff to develop a civil-penalty matrix for consideration at the next meeting.
Executive director Gin Bankley told members the board can use reserve balance to cover the current shortfall and does not expect to seek a fee increase immediately. "Through the end of February, the board continues to operate in a deficit of $45,753," she said. Bankley also reported ongoing staff work to refresh the board's website for ADA compliance and noted the board regulates 634 active collection service agency licenses; she said two licenses had been revoked as of April 1 but that the specific reasons predated current staff and would be researched for a future meeting.
Chip Helman and other members raised civil penalties as an item for review. Board members said longtime penalty amounts (often $250 or $500 recommendations) can feel low relative to today's circumstances; Helman said that for some respondents a small fine can be an expedient way to close a case. Bankley proposed that staff and counsel prepare a schedule comparing current penalties with recommended updates. Helman moved and Lori Hadwin seconded a motion directing legal counsel and staff to develop a civil-penalty matrix listing current charges and recommended changes for the board to consider as old business at its next meeting; the motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.
Legal counsel Joe Wharton noted the board is already authorized to assess a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation and said he would prepare a proposed citation policy revision to align with any penalty increases. The board asked staff to bring a simple spreadsheet with current fees and proposed new amounts to the July 8 meeting so members could discuss and vote.
The meeting concluded with no public comments and adjournment; the board's next scheduled meeting is July 8, 2026.
