The city of Franklin, Tennessee wants to hire a collection agency to help chase outstanding fines and court costs.
Franklin is owed $677,000 in fees. Of that money, $461,591 predates the 2009 fiscal year - with a portion dating back to the mid-1990s, according to city officials. The city collects an estimated $1 million a year in fines and court costs.
If the city hires a collection agency, the agency will start contacting people after the city exhausts its current notification system.
The city is still several months away from hiring an agency but expects to soon issue a call for proposals before city officials decide which agency to recommend to Franklin's Board of Aldermen.
The Franklin Board of Alderman will have the final decision on whether or not to hire an agency.
A growing number of cities and counties are either hiring or considering whether to hire collection agencies. Collections & Credit Risk would like to hear more about this subject.
Contact Darren Waggoner at darren.waggoner@sourcemedia.com or 312.777.1379 if you know of a local government using an agency.
