Explanation
BACKGROUND: The accounts receivable collection program within the City Attorney's Claims Division has been on-going since 1996. At that time the City Attorney interviewed firms experienced with governmental accounts receivable and chose Scoliere & Associates, and later, Capital Recovery Systems, Inc. to provide these services.
The contracts with these companies have paid for themselves every year since, as collections of previously past due accounts far exceeded the amount paid to the collection firms.
This ordinance authorizes the City Attorney to extend the current contracts with the collection firms Scoliere & Associates and Capital Recovery Systems, Inc.
FISCAL IMPACT: Payments for services are made from past due accounts collected. Funds have been budgeted in fund 295 for these expenditures.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Attorney to extend contracts with Scoliere & Associates and Capital Recovery Systems, Inc., to authorize the City Attorney to expend up to Three Hundred Thousand Dollars and 00/100 ($300,000.00) for services rendered pursuant thereto, to waive the competitive procurement provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes, and to declare an emergency. ($300,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 3135-96 originally authorized the City Attorney to contract with Scoliere & Associates and Ordinance No. 1833-98 originally authorized the City Attorney to contract with Capital Recovery Systems, Inc. for the collection of certain of the City's accounts receivable; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney has annually renewed the contracts with Scoliere & Associates and Capital Recovery Systems, Inc. for collection services; and
WHEREAS, it is in the City's interest to continue to contract with Scoliere & Associates and Capital Recovery Systems, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Attorney's office, and that it is immediately necessary to authorize such agreement, appropriation and payment thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
Section 1. That the City Attorney is authorized and directed to extend contracts with Scoliere & Associates and Capital Recovery systems, Inc. to review and collect accounts receivable of the City which the City has determined are uncollectible or where the City believes the amounts involved exceed the costs that would be expended in collection.
Section 2. That the provisions of Columbus City Codes Chapter 329 relating to the procurement of professional services are hereby waived.
Section 3. That there is hereby authorized to be expended from fund no. 295 the sums of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) with Scoliere & Associates and One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) with Capital Recovery systems, Inc. and the City Auditor is authorized to draw warrants upon the treasury for services thereunder upon receipt of invoices approved by the City Attorney.
Section 4. That monies necessary to carryout the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated.
Section 5. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.