Collection board approves updated enforcement matrix and agrees to align agreed‑citation policy

The Tennessee Collection Service Board voted to adopt a proposed civil-penalty matrix and authorized staff to adjust the board’s agreed-citation policy to reflect the matrix values.

Legal counsel Joe Wharton presented the matrix as a drafted guideline that increases recommended civil-penalty amounts for violations of statutes and rules. Wharton emphasized the matrix is guidance—not a mandatory schedule—and reminded the board that letters of warning and letters of instruction remain available alternatives to civil penalties in appropriate cases.

"This matrix is just referencing the cases that this board believes does warrant the assessment of a civil penalty, but we would still have the options of issuing a letter of warning or issuing a letter of instruction or closing a case with no action," Wharton said.

A board member noted the matrix promotes consistency and helps staff and adjudicators apply similar values across similar infractions. The board then voted to adopt the matrix and to authorize staff to amend the agreed-citation guidelines accordingly.

Following the vote, Jen Binkley confirmed the financial statements show both licensing revenue and a line for case revenue (revenue generated from closed consent orders), which she estimated at about $4,500 for the year. Board members asked staff to track case‑revenue receipts against the budget lines.

The board’s adoption directs staff to implement the matrix as an internal guideline and to align the agreed-citation mechanism to the updated penalty values; enforcement discretion (letters of warning, instruction, or closure) remains an option.