TITLE
Title
APPROVE CONTRACT WITH MARK D. BARDILL PC DBA ZACCHAEUS LEGAL SERVICES FOR PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION SERVICES
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Ben Chavis
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BACKGROUND
Background
The County operates a tax foreclosure program, which started in FY 2016 and over the last eight (8) years, this program has generated $11 million dollars in revenue and reduced the average delinquency of parcels in foreclosure from 8 1/2 years to two (2) years.
The expense for legal services incurred by the County under its contract with Mark D. Bardill, P.C., dba Zacchaeus Legal Services, is normally collected in one of two ways: 1) the legal fees, along with delinquent taxes, are collected by the attorney from sale proceeds when a foreclosed property is sold, or 2) when a taxpayer makes full payment directly to the County, it includes the legal fees as well as the taxes, and the County then pays the legal fees from County funds with the expense being offset by collection from the taxpayer. The County’s out of pocket cost is therefore a small fraction of the contract amount.
The Tax Department, in partnership with the County Attorney's Office, determined the market rate and price under the new contract for legal services. The price will normally be $1,830 per parcel, plus costs (such as, for example, filing fees and copy charges). The previous contract amount was historically $1,350 per parcel, plus costs. Other jurisdictions who have recently contracted with ZLS are paying relatively the same rate of $1,830.
The Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget included $450,000. The Tax Department will re-prioritize the additional $50,000, as necessary, from existing budgeted funds.
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Approve the contract with Mark D. Bardill P.C., dba Zacchaeus Legal Services, in substantial form, for the provision of property tax collection services, in an amount not expected to exceed $500,000 pe...
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