Agenda

Return

C. 35

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Russell Watts, Treasurer-Tax Collector
Date:	March 8, 2016

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Contract Amendment Agreement - Steckbauer Weinhart, LLP

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 03/08/2016

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:	Brice Bins, (925) 957-2848
cc:	Robert Campbell, County Auditor-Controller

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: March 8, 2016
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the County Administrator, or designee to execute a contract amendment agreement between the County and Steckbauer Weinhart, LLP, effective November 1, 2015 to increase the payment limit by $25,000 to a new payment limit of $125,000 for continued legal services on behalf of the County on a case-by-case basis in the area of tax related bankruptcy matters, as requested by the County Counsel and the Treasurer-Tax Collector.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Funding for legal services is included in the FY 2015-16 budget. (100% General Fund)

BACKGROUND:

Contract #49076-00 with Steckbauer Weinhart, LLP was executed in April 2013 and the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office respectfully requests an increase of $25,000 for Contract #49076-00 from November 1, 2015 through the end of the of contract term, April 30, 2016. The increase amount of the contract will ensure that sufficient resources are available to pay outstanding invoices and for County Counsel and the Treasurer-Tax Collector to refer additional bankruptcy cases to Steckbauer Weinhart, LLP as needed during the remainder of the contract.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

The need for the legal services on bankruptcy cases is instrumental in collecting outstanding debt by claimants owing taxes and if a claim is not filed when the County is notified, the County has no recourse to collect the taxes associated with the claim. Although County Counsel has significantly helped on many of the bankruptcy cases, the need for additional attorney services has been necessary at times due to the complexity of certain cases.