Explanation
Background: This legislation will authorize the City Attorney to modify, by extending for twelve additional months, the existing contracts previously authorized by Ordinance 0269-2022, with collection agents Capital Recovery Systems, Inc., Law Offices of Robert A. Schuerger Co., LPA, and Scott W. Schiff & Associates Co., LPA, and will authorize the payment of court costs and the reimbursement of any overpayments collected from the Collection Fees fund. This fund is generated by fees collected by collection agents and used to pay the associated collection costs due.
The additional time is needed for the continuity of the services while allowing time for the City Attorney to re-bid the contracts later this year. The extension will be from February 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024.
Emergency: Emergency declaration is requested so the collection process can continue without interruption.
Contract Compliance Numbers:
Capital Recovery Systems, Inc., 31-1570459, CC005578 expires 04/28/2024
Law Offices of Robert A. Schuerger Co., LPA, 35-2353532, CC017436 expires 02/28/2024
Scott W. Schiff & Associates Co., LPA, 31-1589981, CC005619 expires 01/20/2024
These companies are neither debarred according to the Excluded Party Listing System of the Federal Government nor prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State Unresolved Findings for Recovery Certified Search.
Fiscal Impact: These contracts are self-funding and will result in additional revenues to the general fund. The agents are paid fees from the money they collect. One hundred percent of monies collected are remitted to the city, and invoices from the collection agencies are paid from the funds collected. No additional funds are needed for this modification.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney to modify, by extending, the existing contracts with Capital Recovery Systems, Inc., Law Offices of Robert A. Schuerger Co., LPA, and Scott W. Schiff & Associates Co., LPA for the collection of delinquent accounts; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, ordinance 0480-2020 authorized the City Attorney to enter into contracts for an initial two (2) year term, renewable annually, with Capital Recovery Systems, Inc., Law Offices of Robert A. Schuerger Co., LPA, and Scott W. Schiff & Associates Co., LPA, for the provision of debt collection services; and
WHEREAS, ordinance 0269-2022 authorized the City Attorney to modify and extend these contracts for an additional twelve (12) months, through January 31, 2023; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance will authorize the City Attorney to modify by extending these contracts for an additional twelve (12) months, from February 1, 2023 through January 31, 2024, in order to provide continuity in services while allowing time for the City Attorney to re-bid the contracts later this year; and
WHEREAS, no additional funds are necessary at this time; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Attorney's Office in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the foregoing contract modifications and extensions and the appropriation and expenditure of funds so the collection process will not be interrupted; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Attorney is authorized and directed to enter into a modification to extend the contract from February 1, 2023 through January 31, 2024, with Capital Recovery Systems, Inc. for debt collection services.
SECTION 2. That the City Attorney is authorized and directed to enter into a modification to extend the contract from February 1, 2023 through January 31, 2024, with Law Offices of Robert A. Schuerger Co., LPA for debt collection services.
SECTION 3. That the City Attorney is authorized and directed to enter into a modification to extend the contract from February 1, 2023 through January 31, 2024, with Scott W. Schiff & Associates Co., LPA for debt collection services.
SECTION 4. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.