07251966 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING, JULY 25, 1966 page two ,> The Mayor recognized ~ates Steen, associate of Ross Terry, Tax Attorney, of Austin. Mr. Steen reminded the Council that his firm had handled delinquent taxes for the City of San Marcos for four years (1960-1964). In that year, the Coun- ci I had hired Brooks Holman for a year. For the past year the Tax Assessor-Col lector had been hand- ling delinquent taxes. The Ross Terry firm had been employed tointerv~ne for the City on tax suits with the San Marcos Independent School Dist- rict. Mr. Steen stated the City has $55,000 de- linquent on the tax rol Is at present. He propos- ed that the City sign a contract with his firm on the usual 15% collection fee, standard for 35 years. His firm would agree to send out al I notices, furn- ishing stationary, postage, cost of abstract search when necessary, extra c~erical help when needed, etc. He stated that fi ling suit for collection of delinq- uent taxes ~as Ha last resort", after eve~y other effort had fai led. Mr. Steen said his firm col lect- ed between $40,000 and $50,000 annua II y in de Ii nquent taxes for the City, when employed by the Counci I. The City Manager said the Ross Terry firm is represent- ing the City as an intervenor: Hlf the School goes to Court on a certain piece of pr6perty, Mr. Steen wi II represent the City if taxes are also del inquent on our rol Is". The matter was discussed thoroughly. Alderman Damon moved that the City employ Ross Terry as tax attorney, subject to review of the contract by the City Attorney, after consultation with the City Manager; Alderman Whittenberg seconded the motion. Mr. Steen said his firm would wait ti II after March I, 1967 to start working on delinquent taxes, in order to give the City plenty of time to collect. The City Man- ager said the Tax Assessor-Col lector had collected $20,800 in delinquent taxes, which indicates that people don't al I forget. Mr. Steen said his firm had intervened on about 120 pieces of property for the City. His firm wi I I get 15% of taxes now in suit, ones actually col lect- ed, and 15% of all taxes co II ectad after March I, 1967. The question being called for, the following vote was recorded: AYE: NAY: Damon, Froh, Korff, Whittenberg None The Mayor declared the motion carried. There was a brief discussion on a proposed ordinance designed to curb glue-sniffing among juveni les. No action was taken. The Counci I agreed by common consent to interview rep- resentatives of several engineering firms located in Austin and San Antonio, with the purpose of hiring a consulting engineer for the City. Wednesday, Aug.3, ' at 1:00 p.m. was the time set. I I I ~