Explanation
Background:
Ordinance 1684-2016 authorized the Franklin County Municipal Court, Clerk of Court ("Municipal Court Clerk") to enter into three (3) year contracts, with three (3) consecutive one (1) year renewal options with Apelles, LLC, Capital Recovery Systems, Inc., Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP, and the Law Offices of Robert A. Schuerger Co., LPA for collection services for the Municipal Court Clerk’s Office.
This legislation authorizes an appropriation and expenditure of $508,000.00 from the unappropriated balance of the Municipal Court Clerk collection fund. This legislation also seeks authority for the Municipal Court Clerk to modify (by increasing) the current contracts in the amount of $148,000.00 and to enter into the third renewal year in the base amount of $360,000.00 with Apelles, LLC, Capital Recovery Systems, Inc., and Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP, for the provision of collection services. The total (modification plus base contract amount) totals $508,000.00. These additional funds are needed due to an increase in collection services.
The contract is self-funding in that the percentage charged for collecting the receivables is added to the total debt collected, pursuant to ORC 2335.24, ORC 2335.19 and Ordinance 0130-2009, thereby negating costs to the City of Columbus for this service.
Bid Information:
The Municipal Court Clerk's Office solicited formal competitive bids through Requests for Proposals (RFQ 001289) for collection services, in accordance with Columbus City Code 329. The Municipal Court Clerk’s Office received six (6) proposals. The proposals were reviewed by a committee of three (3) and evaluated in accordance with the committee's criteria. The committee selected the highest scored companies. In agreement with the committee, the Municipal Court Clerk awarded the bid to the collection companies.
Contract Compliance:
Apelles, LLC; Contract Compliance # 41-2104380; Expiration Date: 11/27/2021; Vendor # 007901
Capital Recovery Systems, Inc.: Contract Compliance # 31-1570459; Expiration Date: 06/09/2022; Vendor # 005578
Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP; Contract Compliance # 74-2864602; Expiration Date: 04/21/2023; Vendor # 010047
Contracts:
Ordinance: 1684-2016: $244,000.00
Ordinance: 0704-2017: $10,000.00
Ordinance: 0745-2017: $290,000.00
Ordinance: 0401-2018; $32,000.00
Ordinance: 0410-2018; $308.000.00
Ordinance: 1179-2019; $350,000.00
Ordinance: 1003-2020; $350,000.00
Ordinance: 0686-2021; $508,000.00
These companies are not debarred according to the excluded party listing system of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State unresolved findings for recovery certified search.
Emergency: Emergency declaration is requested for the continuity of the collection services.
Fiscal Impact: The appropriation of $508,000.00 shall be available as funds are deposited into said fund.
Title
To authorize an appropriation of $508,000.00 from the unappropriated balance of the Municipal Court Clerk collection fund; to authorize the Municipal Court Clerk to modify and renew contracts with Apelles, LLC, Capital Recovery Systems, Inc., Linebarger and Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP for the provision of collection services; to authorize an expenditure up to $508,000.00 from the Municipal Court Clerk collection fund; and to declare an emergency. ($508,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1684-2016 authorized the Municipal Court Clerk to enter into three (3) year contracts, with three (3) consecutive one (1) year renewal options with Apelles, LLC, Capital Recovery Systems, Inc. and, Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP for collection services for the Municipal Court Clerk’s Office; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to modify and renew these contracts with Apelles, LLC, Capital Recovery Systems, Inc. and Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP for collection services for the Municipal Court Clerk’s Office; and,
WHEREAS, passage of this ordinance will appropriate said funds within the unappropriated balance of the collection fund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Municipal Court Clerk in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Municipal Court Clerk to modify and renew said contracts so the collection services continue without interruption, for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, property, safety and welfare, now therefore;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Municipal Court Clerk is hereby authorized to modify and renew contracts with Apelles, LLC, Capital Recovery Systems, Inc. and Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP for the provision of collection services for the Municipal Court Clerk’s Office.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the Municipal Court Clerk's collection fund, and from all monies estimated to be deposited into said fund, the sum of $508,000.00 be and is hereby appropriated within Fund 2295 (Collection Fund), sub fund 229502, Department-Division 2601 (Municipal Court Clerk), Object Class 03 (Contractual Services).
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $508,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2295 (Collection Fund), Department-Division 2601 (Municipal Court Clerk), Object Class 03 (Contractual Services), per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, where is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure, which shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approved by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.