SPRINGFIELD, MA – Even as the city calls for a private collection agency to tackle $47 million in delinquent taxes owed to the public coffers, officials said the debt pool may be deeper.
How much deeper is anyone’s guess.
A request for proposals published in The Republican yesterday invites private firms to bid on the project and receive a percentage or a flat fee for settling even a portion of the debt.
The deadline to submit proposals is Nov. 8; the winning bidder will begin Dec. 1 and work until November 2005 with opportunities for two one-year extensions.
The estimated $47 million is highlighted in the ad, but one of the city’s top finance officials said the number may jump once questionable past tax agreements are factored in.
“Past debts forgiven improperly were not included in that number,” said Salvatore R. Calvanese, the city’s acting treasurer-collector. “We’re still checking into whether we legally pursue that debt after the fact.” The Republican recently reported Springfield surrendered millions in property tax payments and late fees since 1994 to business owners and residents who had either accrued or inherited big real estate tax debts.
For this complete story, please visit Massachusetts Town Requests Proposals for Collection Contract; May Top $47 million.
