The Marshall County Clerk will be utilizing a new collection agency to help gather more delinquent fines and costs.
Clerk Deb VanDeMark told the Marshall County Commissioners last week that there isn’t much of an effort to go after some residents who owe court fines and costs, and outstanding probation fees owed to the county and to the state.
Commission President Kevin Overmyer asked VanDeMark about what sort of fee would be taken out of the recovery, if successful.
“If the defendant owes $200, they’re going to go after $200,” explained VanDeMark. “On top of that, they will receive 30 percent. We will get our $200 first and then they will get their fee. So, it’ll be $260.”
She added that several counties use this company and county representatives have reported positive results and it won’t cost the county any money.
VanDeMark asked that she enter into a professional services agreement with Capital Recovery in Ohio. County Attorney Jim Clevenger stated that he reviewed the document with the company. The termination portion of the agreement was amended to where the clerk can terminate the contract at any time without cause or explanation. The company can terminate the contract with 30 days written notice to the clerk.
The commissioners approved the agreement with a unanimous vote.
