A. The City Manager may, with the approval of the Mayor and Common Council contract for the services of a collection agency to recover amounts due as a Debt owing to the City. If the election is made to use a collection agency, such use shall be consistent with the provisions set forth herein. The City Manager may delegate this authority among the departments of the City as he/she may deem appropriate.
B. Employment of a collection agency shall not include the services of a licensed attorney and shall not include participation in any court proceeding by the collection agency on behalf of the City except with the prior written approval of the City Attorney.
C. Prior to transfer of the account to a collection agency, the City Manager or his/her designee shall notify the debtor in writing, at the address of record, that the alleged Debt owing to the City will be turned over for private collection unless the account is paid or appealed within a designated time period.
D. Assignment or other legal transfer of the rights in an account to the collection agency may be made with the prior approval of the City Attorney.
E. No Debt owing to the City shall be transferred to a collection agency if the account has been contested.
F. No contract with a collection agency for the collection of Debt owing to the City shall take effect unless and until there are written policies and procedures for the internal processing of such amounts.
(Ord. MC-1330, 8-03-10)