City Hires Collection Agency to Pursue $3 million in Annual Fines

Published on:
11 April 2011 at 08:59 a.m. ET

http://www.insidearm.com/news/00016715-city-hires-collection-agency-to-pursue-3-/

The Murfreesboro (Tenn.) City Council Thursday approved the hiring of a collection agency to chase some $3 million per year in fines and fees, according to The Murfreesboro Post.

Professional Recovery Management, Inc. (dba Fox Collection Center) will be targeting the delinquent debt, primarily comprised of court fines and fees. The city council voted unanimously to approve the contract.

Despite the universal adoption of the plan, some council members expressed concern.

One wondered how the collection agency would represent the city when pursuing payments, while another noted that the debt collection firm would report the unpaid fines to credit reporting agencies.

This is the first time Murfreesboro, a large outer suburb of Nashville, is going after delinquent court fines.