Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tax Collection topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City hears annual delinquent-collections update; vendor says texting, mail campaigns are driving payments
Summary
Contractor Purdue, Brandon, Felder, Collins & Mott reported approximately $370,000 in base delinquent taxes in the November report (later updated to ~$340,000 after November collections), described collection categories and said text and email outreach have increased engagement at no cost to the city.
City staff introduced the collections report and presented Purdue, Brandon, Felder, Collins & Mott's annual update. Mike Darlow, the company's presenter, said the firm handled collections for delinquent taxes, municipal court fines and fees, false alarm fees and liens, and that the program costs the city nothing. "Everything we do for you is at no cost to you," Darlow said, adding the costs are borne by the individuals who owe money.
Darlow provided a breakdown of total base unpaid taxes included in the report (roughly $370,000 when prepared in November; he said that total fell to about $340,000 after November receipts) and explained the firm uses letters, phone calls, email and text-message campaigns. He described text outreach as more effective than letters: the firm includes its logo on texts to help recipients identify authenticity. Darlow also previewed a statewide postcard "warrant roundup" and other publicity the firm will run in the spring to drive collections to municipal courts.
