Maverick County Commissioners Court to Re-Advertise for Delinquent Tax Collection and Delinquent Court Fines Contracts
By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2015
Maverick County Commissioners Court approved to re-advertise for proposals for Collection of Delinquent Ad Valorem Tax Attorney and the collection of Delinquent Court Costs, Fines and Fees at their meeting held on Thursday, September 24, 2015.
During the meeting, Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo opened agenda item No. 21 calling for the opening of sealed proposals for the Delinquent Ad Valorem- Tax Attorney.
Judge Saucedo asked if there was a motion to open up agenda item No.21 and County Commissioner Precinct 4 Roberto Ruiz made the motion to open the sealed proposals for Collection of the Delinquent Ad Valorem-Tax Attorney.
Judge Saucedo called for a second to Ruiz’s motion and the motion died for a lack of a second.
Judge Saucedo questioned Maverick County Legal Counsel Woody Wilson what was the status of agenda item No. 21 since it failed to receive a second to the motion for opening the sealed proposals and what effect did it have on the following agenda item No. 22 calling for possible action to award the tax collection contract.
After discussion, Commissioners Court determined that item No.22 was to be withdrawn since the previous agenda item no. 21 calling for the opening of tax collection proposals died for lack of a second and thus agenda item no. 22 calling for possible action to award a tax collection contract could not be considered.
Under agenda item No.23 calling for re-advertising for proposals for Delinquent Ad Valorem Tax Attorney, Judge Saucedo asked if the court had a motion to be considered.
Maverick County Commissioner Precinct 1 Jerry Morales made a motion to re-advertise for proposals for Delinquent Ad Valorem Tax Attorney.
Judge Saucedo called for a second to Morales’s motion and Saucedo proceeded to second the motion for purposes of discussion.
Commissioner Ruiz stated that he was opposed to re-advertising for proposals on the fact that it costs money to do so and which had already been done by Maverick County. “I certainly respect the majority but I am going to oppose that we re-advertise,” said Ruiz.
Judge Saucedo stated that the companies who had turned in proposals would be allowed to turn one in again.
Commissioners Court and Maverick County Auditor Sandra Watkins discussed the proper procurement process and what was needed to assure that all I’s were dotted and all the T’s were crossed in such matters.
Ruiz then asked County Legal Counsel Wilson what was the scenario if the court was to decide not to re-advertise?
Wilson explained that in such case the organization that is currently doing the service would continue providing the service until further action from the court.
Judge Saucedo explained that the firm that was providing the tax collection for Maverick County had their contract expired in 2014.
Wilson responded that in such case the court could decide to go on a month to month basis with that firm depending on the terms of that contract.
“I think the safest thing to do is to re-advertise,” said Judge Saucedo.
Judge Saucedo asked if there was any more discussion which had none and then called for a vote on agenda item No.23.
Agenda item No.23 was approved on a split 2 to 1 vote. Voting in favor was Morales and Judge Saucedo and voting against was Ruiz..
Commissioners Court agenda item No.24 calling for the opening of sealed proposals for the collection of Delinquent Court Costs, Fines and Fees also died on the floor due to a lack of a second to a motion made by Commissioner Ruiz.
Agenda item No.25 calling for discussion to accept or reject the proposals for the Delinquent Court Costs, Fines and Fees was withdrawn due to non-action on agenda item No 24.
Judge Saucedo called for agenda item No.26 which called to possibly re-advertise for proposals for Delinquent Court Costs, Fines and Fees.
“Do I have a motion for that?” asked Saucedo.
Commissioner Morales made a motion under agenda item No. 26 and Judge Saucedo seconded the motion to re-advertise.
Judge Saucedo proceeded to discuss the issue and services being provided or not being provided, at present time with Attorney Sonia A. Gonzalez of Linebarger & Goggan Blair and Sampson LLP.
Currently, there is no firm collecting delinquent court costs, fines and fees. The most recent contract that was in place expired in October 2014 but the contract with the county to collect delinquent Ad Valorem Taxes is in Place until March 2016.
Commissioners Court discussed that they are not presented any type of activities and collections reports through the delinquent collections process.
Commissioners Court voted to approve agenda item No.25 on a 2 to 1 split vote. Voting in favor was Judge Saucedo and Commissioner Morales while voting against was Commissioner Ruiz.
Maverick County Commissioners Rosy Cantu and Jose Luis Rosales were not present at the September 24, 2015 Commissioners Court meeting.
