§ 11-22-138. Municipal collection agency contracts.

A.  The governing body of a municipality may enter into a contract with a collection agency for the provision of collection services for one or more of the following items:

1.  Debts and accounts receivable including, but not limited to, unpaid fees, penalties, interest, and other sums due the municipality, as applicable; or

2.  Court penalties, costs, fines and fees in cases in municipal court in which the accused has failed to appear or otherwise failed to satisfy a monetary obligation ordered by the court.

B.  A governing body of a municipality that enters into a contract with a collection agency pursuant to this section may authorize the addition of a collection fee in an amount not to exceed thirty-five percent (35%) on each item described in subsection A of this section that has been referred by the municipality to the collection agency for collection.  If a municipality enters into such contract with a collection agency and authorizes the collection fee, the court shall order defendants to reimburse the fee arising pursuant to paragraph 2 of subsection A of this section and such court-ordered fee may be collected as provided by law for the collection of any other civil debt or criminal action.

Added by Laws 2009, c. 258, § 1, emerg. eff. May 22, 2009.