Explanation
Background:
The accounts receivables collection program within the City Attorney's Claims Division has been ongoing since 1996. At that time, the City Attorney interviewed firms that had experience with governmental accounts receivable and chose Scoliere and Associates (now known as Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson LLP) as one of the companies to provide these services.
Ordinance 0423-2008 was passed 04/23/08 authorizing the renewal of the contract with Linebarger, Goggan, Blair and Sampson, LLP for the term 04/01/08 through 03/31/09 and for up to $100,000.00. Linebarger has exceeded estimated collection amounts and this ordinance will authorize additional expenses of up to $50,000.00 for collection services. This will bring the total maximum of the contract to $150,000.00 during the term 04/01/08 through 03/31/09.
Contract Compliance Number:
Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson LLP 74-2864602 001, expires 02/06/11.
Fiscal Impact:
This contract is self-funding and collections far exceed the amount paid to the collection firm. The fees paid under this contract are 30% of the first $30,000.00 collected and 10% of any additional amounts collected on a specific claim.
Emergency action is requested to allow for the uninterrupted continuation of the collection program.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Attorney to modify and increase a contract with Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson LLP; to authorize the City Attorney to expend up to an additional Fifty Thousand Dollars for services rendered pursuant thereto; to waive the competitive procurement provisions of the Columbus City Codes; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 3136-96 originally authorized the City Attorney to contract with Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson LLP (formerly Scoliere & Associates) for the collection of certain of the City's accounts receivables; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney has annually renewed these contracts for collection services; and
WHEREAS, collections by Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson LLPduring the current contract period of 04/101/08 through 03/31/09 have exceeded the original estimate; and
WHEREAS, it is in the City's interest to modify the current contract with Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson LLP to allow collections to continue and to waive the provisions of Chapter 329 relating to the procurement of their professional services; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Attorney's Office in that it is immediately necessary to authorize such modification and payment in order to avoid interruption in services, 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 modify and increase a contract with Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson LLP to collect accounts receivables 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 to a new maximum amount of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00).
SECTION 2. That the provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, relating to the procurement of professional services are hereby waived.
SECTION 3. That there is hereby authorized to be expended from department 2401, collection fund, fund number 295, object level three 3336, organizational cost code 241295, the additional sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) with Linebarger, Boggan, Blair & Simpson LLP 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 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 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.