Agency collects $35,000 in unpaid fines and fees for Perry County Circuit Clerk
Circuit Clerk Kim Kellerman reported that the collection agency she has been working with since September of last year has collected just under $35,000 in unpaid fines and fees.
Kellerman told the board in June 2014 she had entered an agreement with Credit Collection Partners to collect unpaid fees and fines.
Credit Collection Partners is an Illinois firm run by a former Circuit Clerk.
There is no cost to the county. The old fees and fines are identified then responsible person is notified. The full fee goes to Perry County for disbursement through Kellerman's office. The person who owes the fine is charged an additional 30 percent which is paid to Credit Collection Partners.
Other local municipalities signed agreed to allow Kellerman to turn over their unpaid ordinance fines and fees to Credit Collection Partners, as well.
Kellerman told the board her office also is part of a pilot program to collect fees which are owed the child support and maintenance fund. Users are assessed a $36 per year fee which is sometimes difficult to collect.
The fees help pay the salary of the Circuit Clerk's employee who handles child support and maintenance issues.
The Circuit Clerk's office has recently begun accepting credit and debit card payments online, over the phone and in person. The fee for the charge is paid by the user.
In other business, the board:
• approved an agreement with GovTech Services Inc. which will allow the Perry County Treasurer's Office to accept debit and credit card payments. There is no cost to the county; the fee is paid by the user. Perry County currently uses the Illinois pay system, which charges a higher fee to the user.
• agreed to sponsor Greenwood Creek Nation in their effort to get a grant to pay for $450,000 of a $1.3 million project to tap on to a Rend Lake trunk line for increased water flow. Zoning Administrator/Economic Development Coordinator Jeff Ashauer was asked to write the letter of support. Jim Lamczyk said Greenwood Creek serves 450 users in eastern Perry County and has approximately 220 miles of water line. The not-for-profit water company currently uses a water supply line shared by several other municipalities. The new line would offer an alternative water delivery system in case of a natural disaster. Greenwood Creek is working with Greater Egypt on the grant.
• passed a resolution to extend a contract with SIU to the end of a grant program which was extended. SIU is helping the Perry County Emergency Management Agency update a hazard mitigation plan.
• approved the annual agreement with University of Illinois Extension Center for rental of their offices in the government building. There is no change to the rent and fees which will be paid quarterly. Total cost is $75,000.
• approved raffle licenses for Wyatt Eisenhauer Memorial Ride, Pinckneyville KC Hall, Old Du Quoin Cemetery, Souther Illinois Tomahawks, PCHS Baseball and Du Quoin Elks Lodge.