Council approves Linebarger agreement and 20% collection fee for Daniel Dale Homestead PID

Council opened a public hearing and approved an agreement with Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson LLP to collect delinquent property‑assessment accounts for the Daniel Dale Homestead Public Improvement District (PID).

Interim City Manager Isam Cameron explained the item follows statutory requirements because the proposed contract is contingent‑fee based. The city attorney noted contingent‑fee contracts require a public hearing under state law. Pamela Lee, representing Linebarger, explained the collection fee and mechanics and said the penalty and interest for delinquency follows the Texas Tax Code; "when it becomes delinquent on February 1 is when the penalty and interest begin to accrue, which is exactly which is approximately 1% per 1.5 percent per month," she said.

Council then voted to approve the agreement with Linebarger and separately approved authorizing a 20% contingent collection fee to be added to delinquent PID accounts. Council clarified the 20% fee is an add‑on charged to the delinquent property owner, not a city expense. Both motions passed 6–1.