ATHENS —
An Austin-based firm on Tuesday brought the Henderson County Commissioners Court a proposal for a property tax debt collection service that could bring an increase in revenue.
The court took no action on the proposal, but will study the information.
A spokesperson for the law firm of Linebarger Goggan Blair and Sampson LLP, Jim Lambeth, told the court the company already serves seven Henderson County school districts. He said the company can’t guarantee the county will see more revenue due to the service, but other counties have experienced sizable gains.
Lambeth said Van Zandt County, which recently became a client, saw an increase of 2.19 percent in collections during the first full year of service. A similar result in Henderson County could result in an increase of more than $200,000.
Linebarger Grogan now does business with more than half of the counties in the state, Lambeth said. The company has had Dallas County as a client for 28 years and during that period has collected more than $539 million. Kaufman, Ellis, Navarro and Smith counties also contract for the service.
Lambeth said the company’s strategy is to spend about 90 percent of its efforts collecting the largest debts, but will also apply about 10 percent of its time and resources working the oldest cases.
Linebarger Grogan has offices in Tyler and Kaufman and has collected for entities in Henderson County since 1984. The proposal states that if Henderson County contracts for the service, the firm will consider opening an office in Henderson County and placing a permanent employee there.
In other action, commissioners approved:
• scheduling a public hearing for Jan. 8 to determine a speed limit for County Road 2514 in the Payne Springs area;
• an interlocal agreement between the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and Victim Relief Ministries Inc.;
• a proposal from Bancorp South Services to provide commercial insurance for 2013; and
• payment of bills in the amount of $246,431.45.
Local News
Firm pitches collection services to county
- Local News
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Millionaires Club
Tom Denton, who has led efforts to gather tabs from cans, continues the battle to provide housing for parents of children hospitalized while they are away from home.
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Good as gold
The Henderson County Farm and Ranch Tour pulls out Tuesday morning as it has for half a century, but this time, from a new location.
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A little Hope for West
On Thursday, April 18, West, Texas changed. The small community was shocked and devastated with a fertilizer plant explosion. Lives were lost, hundreds were injured and homes and buildings were flattened.
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AISD trustees approve agreements at meeting
Action items were all approved Thursday by the Board of Trustees of Athens Independent School District. The approvals were made at their regular meeting.
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A future investment
Harry and Patti Hogue present a check for $500 to go toward the Splash Pad at Kiwanis Park in Athens. The fund-raising effort is nearing the finish line for the $220,000 project, although donations are still being sought. The Splash Pad is expected to be open some time this summer.
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Ultimate sacrifice
Peace officers from across Henderson County gathered on the courthouse square Thursday afternoon to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
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Ideas on display
Charles Parker can do some pretty fancy things with your kitchen utensils and old golf clubs.
Parker’s ideas can be seen on display Saturdays at the Athens Farmers Market. This is his third year to bring his crafts to be sold. -
iPads trim costs
Keeping pace with new technology, Henderson County Justices of the Peace can potentially save thousands of dollars through the use of iPads.
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Mark your calendar for June 1. Athens will be busy with the Old Fiddlers Reunion and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes events.
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AISD hires PBK architects
Athens Independent School District Blake Stiles believes one of the biggest considerations rendered at Thursday’s school board meeting was to choose a company that will carry out construction for security at Athens High School and Athens Middle School. The contractor is known as a construction manager at risk.
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