§ 301-19. Use of Collection Agencies, Etc.

The city manager is hereby authorized to enter into contracts, from time to time, with persons, firms, or corporations for the collection of moneys due the city. Such contracts may provide for the collection by the contractor of certain specified claims or may provide for the collection by the contractor of all or a part of the collections of the city or any department thereof during the period of the contract. No such contract shall be for a period of more than five years and each such contract shall be terminable by either party upon 30 days notice in writing. Any such contract may provide, with respect to the collection of debts owing by persons residing outside Hamilton county, that the contractor may, with the approval of the city solicitor, employ an attorney or attorneys at law to file suit against any such debtor or take any other legal action necessary to collect said claims. In such cases the city solicitor may advance to the contractor the estimated court costs.

Such contracts shall contain such other terms and provisions as may, in the opinion of the city solicitor, be necessary to protect the interests of the city.

Payment to be made by the city to the contractor shall be a percentage of the amount collected for the city by the contractor, but said contracts may provide for a minimum payment to the contractor per claim with respect to claims where the amount recovered does not on the basis of the stipulated percentage entitle the contractor to an amount equal to or more than the minimum charge.

The contracts authorized herein may be entered into without formal competitive bidding as required by statute but the city manager shall cause all steps to be taken to obtain maximum competition and the best possible contract for the city. The low minimum charge or the low percentage charge bid shall not be controlling, but the city manager shall award each contract to the person making the lowest and best proposal after giving due regard to each bidder's organization, qualifications and ability to collect claims.

(Sec. 301-19; ordained by Ord. No. 108-1959, eff. May 15, 1959; reordained as C.M.C. 301-19, eff. Jan. 1, 1972)