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08-B RFP Mun Ct. CollectionsDRAFT F:ALICE\RESWORK\CiJRRENT\ Municipal Ct Collections RFP Res October 5, 2004 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE SOLICITING OF INFORMAL PROPOSALS FOR COLLECTION OF DELINQUENT FINES FOR THE CITY OF PARIS MLTNICIPAL COURT; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Paris did heretofore, on the 13th day of September, 2003, in Resolution No. 2003-161, approve and authorized the execution of a Professional Services Collection Agreement with American Municipal Services Corporation for the collection of delinquent Municipal Court fees, costs, and fines; and, WHEREAS, the term of Professional Services Collection Agreement with American Municipal Services Corporation is for twelve (12) months, thereafter being self renewing from year to year unless the terms and conditions hereof are renegotiated at the request of either party, with either party having the right to terminate the agreement upon delivering thirty (30) days written notice to the other party; and, WHEREAS, the Mayor and the City Council have indicated their desire that informal proposals be received for the collection of delinquent Municipal Court fees, costs, and fines; and, WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Paris deems it to be in the best interests of the citizens of Paris that Municipal Judge Thomas E. Hunt be authorized to seek informal proposals for the collection of delinquent Municipal Court fees, costs, and fines; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COLTNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS: Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are hereby in all things approved. Section 2. That the Municipal Judge, Thomas E. Hunt be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to seek informal proposals for the collection of delinquent Municipal Court fees, costs, and fines, and to return said proposals to the City Council of the City of Paris for further review and action. Section 3. That this resolution shall be effective from and after its date of passage. PASSED AND APPROVED this l lth day of October, 2004. Curtis Fendley, Mayor ATTEST: Sherian Dixon, Assistant City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Larry W. Schenk, City Attorney REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR COLLECTION OF DELINQUENT FINES FOR CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS MLTNICIPAL COURT CITY OF PARIS PARIS, TEXAS OCTOBER, 2004 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR COLLECTION OF DELINQUENT FINES FOR CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS MLTNICIPAL COURT The City of Paris, Paris, Texas is requesting proposals from qualified attorneys or firms for the provision of collection services for delinquent fines, fees and court costs for the Paris Municipal Court. Requested Services: The attorney or firm selected will be required to perform all services incident to the process of collection of unpaid fines, fees, court costs, and restitution ordered paid by the Municipal Court of the City of Paris remaining unpaid more than sixty (60) days past the due date set by the court; and amounts in cases in which the accused has failed to appear remaining unpaid more than sixty (60) days after the date the accused was notified to appear before the court. The attorney or firm selected will report regarding case status, monthly billings, case reports and other daily collection operations to the Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Paris. All contact with defendants to be in manner as specified by the court as agreed in contract between parties. All payments of fines shall be made directly to the court and court will submit monthly report of payment. Collection agency to provide monthly progress reports on cases referred for collection. All expenses for the collection process to be paid by the collection agency. All services performed shall be under the direction of a Texas attorney and shall be conducted in accordance with a11 federal, state and local laws as those laws relate to collection activities. Qualifications: The attorney or firm selected will be a current member of the State Bar of Texas in good standing, with professional memberships in associations as necessary related to the collection of delinquent court fines, fees or costs. The attorney or firm selected will be required to provide a proposal and a detailed firm or individual resume with special emphasis on the proposer's experience in the area of collection of court fines and fees. The proposal should include a11 information necessary to demonstrate the proposer is fully qualified, well experienced and well versed in the area of collection of court fines and fees. The proposal should include references of other courts served including contact information and recovery percentages and rates of cases with offense dates before June 18, 2003 and after June 18, 2003. The proposal should include policies and procedures used for court collections with copies of correspondence used, telephone techniques and scripts, and training received by employees. All collection activities must be in strict compliance with a11 applicable federal, state, and locallaws. Compensation: Fees for collection services will be in accordance with Article 103.0031 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure for offenses committed after June 18, 2003. Proposal to be submitted for offenses occurring prior to June 18, 2003. Contract: The proposer selected will be required to sign a professional services contract for a minimum of one year duration setting out the obligations of the attorney or firm in performance of the duties as required. Certificate of Errors and Omissions Liability Insurance will be required with The contract, as well as an indemnity clause indemnifying the City against the actions of the collector. The collector shall be considered for all purposes as an independent contractor. Each proposer should submit as part of their proposal any standard Collection Agreement which they desire to be considered. Selection Process: Proposers are encouraged to respond by fax or where possible e-mail to speed the process of selection. The Municipal Court fax number is (903) 737-4142 and the e-mail address is muncourt(a-_)ci.paris.tx.us. Proposals by U.S. Mail will likewise be received. All proposals should be forwarded to the City of Paris no later than , 2004. As proposals are received, they will be review and scheduled for personal interview as soon as possible. Selection sha11 be based on qualifications, experience, proven performance, ability to perform, references, acceptable policies and procedures, and other criteria as deemed appropriate by the City. THE CITY OF PARIS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY CONTRACTOR. Any questions regarding this proposal, the scope of services, or other related matters should be directed in writing by fax or other means to the above-referenced fax number and/or e-mail address. Following the interview process, formal selection will be made by the City Council of the City of Paris, Texas.