Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance is contingent upon the passage of ordinance 2089-2006 authorizing the 2007 Other Funds Appropriations.
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 0654-2006 was passed 05/03/06 authorizing an extension for six months and expenditure of up to $75,000 for the contract with Linebarger, Goggan, Blair and Sampson, LLP. This ordinance will extend said contract an additional six months and authorize additional expenses of up to $75,000.00 for collection services. This will bring the total maximum of the contract $150,000.00.
Contract Compliance Number: Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson LLP 74-2864602 001, expires 01/29/09.
Fiscal Impact: This contract is self-funding and collections far exceed the amount paid to the collection firm.
Emergency action is requested to allow for the uninterrupted continuation of the collection program.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Attorney to extend a contract with Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson LLP; to authorize the City Attorney to expend up to an additional Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000) for services rendered pursuant thereto; to waive the competitive procurement provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959; and to declare an emergency. ($75,000)
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 3135-96 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, it is in the City's interest to continue to contract with Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson LLP 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 agreement 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 extend a contract with Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson for a period of six months 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 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 one 03, object level three 3336, organizational cost code 241295, the additional sum of Seventy-five Thousand Dollars ($75,000) 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.