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Pemberton Council authorizes RFP for private debt‑collection service for municipal court and code debts
Summary
Council voted to seek proposals from private collection agencies to pursue outstanding municipal court and code enforcement debts (roughly $200,000 discussed). Members debated the mix of lien strategies and percentage fees; the council authorized an RFP with one member opposed.
Pemberton Township authorized staff to issue a request for proposals seeking a private collection agency to help recover outstanding municipal court and code enforcement debts, which staff estimated in the meeting at about $200,000.
Council discussion focused on what types of debts the agency would pursue, term length, fee structure and whether liens or other in‑house tools should be used first. The court administrator and municipal staff explained that recent changes in state practice and COVID era procedural shifts have limited some enforcement tools and that the RFP is meant to create an additional tool for collections. The model proposed is percentage‑based compensation to the vendor rather than a flat upfront fee.
Council members asked whether the township should prioritize placing liens against property owners who can pay and then use outside agencies for debts where litigation or enforcement would be less productive. Staff said the RFP process will allow those terms to be specified and that the council retains discretion to set final contract terms.
The motion to authorize the RFP passed, with one council member voting against the measure. Staff said they would return to council with the specific RFP terms and comparative bids before entering a contract.
