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Collectors will soon be on the search for Sulphur's utility bill debt dodgers.
On Tuesday night, the City Council voted unanimously to allow Mayor Chris Duncan to sign a contract with American Municipal Services (AMS) for the collection of unpaid utility bills.
Gary Bogan, spokesman for the Carrolton, Texas company, stated that his organization "has been helping municipalities collect on outstanding utility fines and outstanding warrants for sixteen years."
Lattie Polk, of Sulphur, expressed his concern about the use of a non-local company and asked if the city might later consider use of one of the area debt collection agencies.
"We already evaluated that. What we're gonna find is that most of these are rentals that have vanished and [American Municipal Services has] the sophisticated system to do the background on location," replied Mayor Duncan.
Council member Stuart Moss, who is president of Credit Services of Southwest Louisiana, agreed. He also stated that most of the agencies in the area are geared more toward medical and retail services. As well, Moss made it clear that his company is not, in any way, involved in the contract with AMS.
Council chair Mike Koonce asked for clarification on the possibility of the city needing to exit the contract. Bogan responded by stating that the city is allowed to break its contract with AMS at any time.
Koonce also wanted clarification that residents would not be turned over to the agency for simply missing a single payment.
"This is not gonna be that Aunt Susie misses one water bill and we're gonna turn her over to the collection agency," he stated.
Mayor Duncan emphasized that the purpose was to collect truly outstanding debt.
"These are mainly for those that have been terminated already and are out there that haven't been collected on," said the mayor.
Koonce was also concerned about how the company should treat the debtors.
"I think I, as a citizen, expect us to be courteous [and] professional when we're going about this, no threatening phone calls or harassing anybody," said Koonce.
Bogan agreed.
"We consider ourselves an extension - part of the city - and absolutely not, we do not do that. It's not only against the law but it's not how we do our business," he stated.
In other council business:
•The council moved to table introduction of an ordinance granting subdivision of lots located at 109 Garden Street. Land owner Tom Finnie wants to place two homes on an 80 x 280 foot lot. Moss stated that he has received ten calls within the last two day opposing this plan. A handful of Garden Street residents also appeared at Council Tuesday night to voice their opposition. Council member Dru Ellender advised Finnie to review any restrictions for subdividing his lot, and the council agreed that he needed more time for research.
•Wilmer Dugas was reappointed as a member of the West Calcasieu Port, Harbor and Terminal Board of Directors.
•The council voted unanimously to authorize the advertisement of bids for a diesel vehicle exhaust system for all three fire stations. The city has received a grant of $72,500 from the Department of Homeland Security. The cost to the city will be about ten percent of the grant, or around $7,250, depending on the bid. The move is an effort to make the fire stations more environmentally friendly.
•The council also set the hours for Halloween on Saturday, October 30, 2010 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Collectors will soon be on the search for Sulphur's utility bill debt dodgers.
On Tuesday night, the City Council voted unanimously to allow Mayor Chris Duncan to sign a contract with American Municipal Services (AMS) for the collection of unpaid utility bills.
Gary Bogan, spokesman for the Carrolton, Texas company, stated that his organization "has been helping municipalities collect on outstanding utility fines and outstanding warrants for sixteen years."
Lattie Polk, of Sulphur, expressed his concern about the use of a non-local company and asked if the city might later consider use of one of the area debt collection agencies.
"We already evaluated that. What we're gonna find is that most of these are rentals that have vanished and [American Municipal Services has] the sophisticated system to do the background on location," replied Mayor Duncan.
Council member Stuart Moss, who is president of Credit Services of Southwest Louisiana, agreed. He also stated that most of the agencies in the area are geared more toward medical and retail services. As well, Moss made it clear that his company is not, in any way, involved in the contract with AMS.
Council chair Mike Koonce asked for clarification on the possibility of the city needing to exit the contract. Bogan responded by stating that the city is allowed to break its contract with AMS at any time.
Koonce also wanted clarification that residents would not be turned over to the agency for simply missing a single payment.
"This is not gonna be that Aunt Susie misses one water bill and we're gonna turn her over to the collection agency," he stated.
Mayor Duncan emphasized that the purpose was to collect truly outstanding debt.
"These are mainly for those that have been terminated already and are out there that haven't been collected on," said the mayor.
Koonce was also concerned about how the company should treat the debtors.
"I think I, as a citizen, expect us to be courteous [and] professional when we're going about this, no threatening phone calls or harassing anybody," said Koonce.
Bogan agreed.
"We consider ourselves an extension - part of the city - and absolutely not, we do not do that. It's not only against the law but it's not how we do our business," he stated.
In other council business:
•The council moved to table introduction of an ordinance granting subdivision of lots located at 109 Garden Street. Land owner Tom Finnie wants to place two homes on an 80 x 280 foot lot. Moss stated that he has received ten calls within the last two day opposing this plan. A handful of Garden Street residents also appeared at Council Tuesday night to voice their opposition. Council member Dru Ellender advised Finnie to review any restrictions for subdividing his lot, and the council agreed that he needed more time for research.
•Wilmer Dugas was reappointed as a member of the West Calcasieu Port, Harbor and Terminal Board of Directors.
•The council voted unanimously to authorize the advertisement of bids for a diesel vehicle exhaust system for all three fire stations. The city has received a grant of $72,500 from the Department of Homeland Security. The cost to the city will be about ten percent of the grant, or around $7,250, depending on the bid. The move is an effort to make the fire stations more environmentally friendly.
•The council also set the hours for Halloween on Saturday, October 30, 2010 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
