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2001 Public/Private Partnership Awards MAYOR RONALD
KIRK, CITY OF DALLAS AWARD OF
EXCELLENCE LINEBARGER
HEARD GOGGAN BLAIR GRAHAM PEÑA & SAMPSON, LLP In 1983 the City of Dallas
took a bold step to increase its delinquent property tax collections by
privatizing this operation. The City, who also collects for the Dallas
Independent School District, awarded a contract to the law firm of Linebarger
Heard Goggan Blair Graham Peña & Sampson, LLP and set the stage for a very
strong and highly successful public-private partnership. The initial results
were dramatic and praised by the local media as an “unprecedented
crackdown…theoretically approaching the threshold of all that is collectible.”
(Dallas Morning News, September 11, 1983). During Linebarger’s first year, collections
jumped to $26.1 million or 250% more than the $10.1 million collected in 1982. Linebarger’s primary job is
assuring the City of Dallas has a steady stream of tax revenue, but the
partnership goes beyond collections.
One of Linebarger’s first tasks was to assist the City in consolidating
its tax bills, allowing taxpayers to receive a single statement for the full
amount of taxes they owed for all delinquent years. Today, Linebarger’s office
is online with the Tax Office, allowing them to access City tax records and
respond to taxpayer inquiries directly, freeing up City of Dallas Tax Office
employees for other taxpayer services. The partnership continues to
launch new initiatives as needs change. Working with City Attorney, Revenue and
Taxation, Housing, Property Management, and Code Enforcement staff, Linebarger
helped develop a program to address a growing problem with property code
enforcement and affordable housing initiatives. Three years ago, Linebarger
dedicated a team to assist the City in targeting properties through the
foreclosure process for non-profit organizations. In addition, thousands of
properties with code enforcement violations have been targeted for foreclosure,
with the goal of placing these properties in the hands of owners who will keep
the properties maintained and the taxes paid. While monies owed to the
City are aggressively collected, the partnership has never forgotten the human
element in this business. Using the City’s payment guidelines, Linebarger helps
taxpayers resolve their delinquent accounts, including those facing special
problems such as financial hardship, disability or age. The partnership strives
to educate taxpayers about their responsibilities. As a result of joint media
campaigns, the public’s perception is that the partnership is serious about
collecting, which has encouraged many delinquent taxpayers to pay future tax
bills on time. The partnership’s success is good for the Dallas
economy. While Linebarger is a national law firm, it is their policy to hire
and buy locally. They also strongly support minority and women business
enterprises, and are committed to providing ownership and career opportunities
for minorities and women within the firm. The partnership’s efforts
have had a positive financial impact on the City of Dallas. Today, Dallas
enjoys one of the highest current tax collection rates of any major city in
Texas: 98.3 percent. The Budget Office can make reliable revenue forecasts
based upon the partnership’s consistent collection performance. Moreover, the additional tax revenue
collected allows the City of Dallas to implement plans for services and
facilities that benefit the population as a whole without raising taxes. |
