Number
051297
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
051098
Sponsor
ALD. WITKOWSKI
Title
A substitute resolution directing certain city departments to implement various recommendations of the Outstanding Debt Task Force.
Analysis
This resolution directs certain city departments to implement various recommendations of the Outstanding Debt Task Force. Departments shall submit a progress report concerning the implementation of these recommendations to the Common Council within 180 days of the adoption of this resolution.
Body
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee Outstanding Debt Task Force was created by Common Council File Number 041446 on April 12, 2005, to evaluate and make recommendations relating to procedures for collecting delinquent taxes, forfeitures, judgments and fees owed to the City of Milwaukee; and
Whereas, The Task Force held 9 public meetings, beginning on May 13, 2005, and submitted its final report and recommendations to the Common Council on December 13, 2005 (File #051098); and
Whereas, Certain Task Force recommendations require implementation by certain city departments; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the following departments are authorized and directed to implement the following recommendations of the Outstanding Debt Task Force:
1. That the City Comptroller and City Treasurer develop a revenue collection policy for miscellaneous account receivables. The revenue collection policy would exclude property taxes, municipal court revenues, and parking fines.
2. That the City Comptroller and City Treasurer work to implement late payment fines, if appropriate.
3. That the Comptroller’s Office and the City Attorney work together to develop a policy in regards to writing off the debt that does not fall within the statute of limitations.
4. That the Comptroller’s Office work with other departments to investigate the increased use of standard costs.
5. That the Treasurer’s Office devise a method to track and keep a record of those who repeatedly redeem their property to avoid foreclosure.
6. That departments with contracts with collection agencies should:
a. Continue to explore ways to reduce collection costs.
b. Continue including performance measures in Requests for Proposals (RFP’s).
c. Continue to issue RFP’s before current contracts expire to assure that the latest in collection techniques and rates are offered for consideration by the City.
d. Explore and consider the use of multiple collection agencies in future RFP’s if economically feasible and administratively practicable.
e. Explore and consider including a pre-collection call campaign on delinquent accounts in future RFP’s if economically feasible and administratively practicable.
f. Explore ways to enhance contract specifications to improve collections efforts.
7. That the Police Department find a better way to find and arrest egregious offenders.
8. That the Police Department seek restitution by incarcerated individuals who have damaged City property.
9. That the Police Department initiate a media campaign regarding hit-and-run accidents.
10. That Department of Public Works, in conjunction with other departments, establish an education/media effort to advise the public of the consequences of having outstanding parking fines.
; and, be it
Further, Resolved, That the specified departments shall submit a progress report concerning the implementation of these recommendations to the Common Council within 180 days of the adoption of this resolution
Requestor
Drafter
LRB06012-6
JWC
1/19/06