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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-3374 ord96 MUNICIPAL COURT - COLLECTION FEE ORDINANCE NO. 03-3374 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF PLAINVIEW CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 2 ADMINISTRATION, AUTHORIZING A COLLECTION FEE IN THE AMOUNT OF 30% OF EACH DELINQUENT DEBT AND ACCOUNT RECEIVABLE, INCLUDING ADJUDICATED COURT FINES AND FEES, REFERRED TO LAW FIRM FOR COLLECTION; CUMULATIVENESS CLAUSE; CONFLICTS CLAUSE; SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, under the provisions of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 103.0031 the City Council of the City of Plainview is empowered to authorize the addition of 30% on each debt and account receivable, including adjudicated fines and fees, that is more than 60 days past due and has been referred to an attorney for collection; and WHEREAS, the City of Plainview finds it necessary to obtain a firm for the collection of past due debts; and WHEREAS, the City of Plainview wishes to defray its costs of collection that it incurs under a contract for collection of delinquent court fines and fees. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Plainview, Texas, that: Section I Sec. 2-174. Collection Fee of the City of Plainview Code or Ordinances be amended as follows: (a) A defendant shall be assessed a collection fee in the amount of 30% of each delinquent debt and account receivable, including adjudicated fines and fees, that is more than 60 days past due and has been referred to an attorney for collection. (b) A defendant is not liable for the collection fees authorized under Subsection (a) if the court of original jurisdiction has determined the defendant is indigent, or has insufficient resources or income, or is otherwise unable to pay all or part of the underlying fine or costs. Section II Provisions of this ordinance are cumulative and nothing herein shall prevent, alter, or diminish the applicability or enforcement of other ordinances restricting, regulating, or governing the subject matter herein. Ordinance No. 03-3374 Municipal Court Collection Fee Page 1 of 2 Section III All ordinances or portions of any ordinance of the City of Plainview, Texas in conflict herewith, are hereby amended to conform with the provisions hereof. Section IV Should any section, subsection, or any portion hereof be deemed invalid for any reason, such holding shall not render or invalidate any other section, subsection, sentence, provision, clause, phrase, or word severable therefrom and the same shall be deemed severable for this purpose. Section V This ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and publication as required by law. PASSED AND APPROVED on first reading this 25th day of March, 2003. PASSED AND APPROVED on second reading this 8th day of April, 2003. Belinda Hinojosa, City SecrtetJary APPROVED AS TO FORM: Wally Hatch,,City Attorney APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: Pat Hernandez, Municipal Court Judge Ordinance No. 03-3374 Municipal Court Page 2 of 2 Collection Fee