(A) The Municipal Court is hereby authorized to assess a “court collection service fee” or may authorize the payment by a defendant of collection costs directly to a collection agency or attorney. The fee imposed or payment authorized is to be in an amount, determined by the Court, based on the actual costs of collection, and explained as follows:
(1) A defendant who defaults in his or her obligation for the payment of monies owed or due to the Municipal Court, including but not limited to restitution, fines, sanctions, surcharges, assessments, penalties, bonds, costs, and/or fees, is liable for any and all fees and charges assessed by a collection agency that is licensed, pursuant to A.R.S. 32-1021 et seq. (Title 32, Chapter 9, Article 2), or a duly licensed attorney, that has been engaged by the Municipal Court to collect and enforce such payment.
(2) The collection fees and charges assessed by the collection agency or the attorney shall be added to the sum or sums due from and chargeable against the defendant.
(B) The Magistrate is authorized to enter into an agreement or agreements on behalf of the Municipal Court with any collection agency that is licensed, pursuant to A.R.S. 32-1021 et seq. (Title 32, Chapter 9, Article 2), and/or any duly licensed attorney, for the purpose of providing collection services for the Court. Said agreement(s) is to be authorized without cost to the Municipal Court or to the town, unless otherwise specifically budgeted and approved for payment from the Municipal Court’s other professional services account.
(C) The effective date of any assessments authorized herein shall be May 12, 2002. All defendants who are in default in his or her obligation(s) for the payment of monies owed or due to the Municipal Court, including but not limited to restitution, fines, sanctions, surcharges, assessments, penalties, bonds, costs, and/or fees, prior to the above date shall be provided with written notice to the defendant’s last known address that they shall have a 30-day grace period to satisfy said obligation(s) before assessments are imposed upon them.
(2001 Code, Art. 5-5-4) (Am. Ord. 492, passed - -2002; Ord. 06-656, passed 4-13-2006)