Collection Firm Hired for Court Fines
Thursday, October 25, 2012 • 8:23am
PATERSON, NJ – In an effort to recoup some of the municipal court’s $7 million in unpaid fines, the City Council on Tuesday approved the hiring of a collection agency.
Under the deal, Professional Account Management of Milwaukee would pay Paterson 78 percent of whatever it collected. Earlier this month, the council balked at approving the contract until administration officials explained why the Milwaukee company was picked over other bidders, including Taxserv Capital Services from Virginia, which offered to pay the city 80 percent of its collections.
Business administrator Charles Thomas said Professional Account Management had the best track record of recouping old fines, collecting about 35 percent of them for other municipal clients. If the firm hits that mark in Paterson it would generate a much-needed $2 million for the city.
