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UCAD cans collection attorney


Charley Robinson

Staff writer

Returning from a 38-minute closed session Tuesday night, Uvalde County Appraisal District board chairman Blaine Bennett made a motion to terminate the relationship between UCAD and its longtime delinquent tax collection attorney Albert Walker.

“I move that the Uvalde County Appraisal District terminate the contract with Mr. Albert Walker and Mr. William Kessler executed on 10 of September, 2013, and any subsequent agreements, effective immediately. We should send a letter from Mr. [Carl] Kolb’s office June 28, 2017, via overnight mail stating such,” was Bennett’s motion.

Sergio Porras seconded the motion with Javier Flores and John Harrell voting affirmative. Hector Luevano was absent. The motion carried.

Kolb is the attorney representing UCAD in the suit against Walker.

UCAD board attorneys Karen Evertson and Mary Sanchez were present to update the board on how the new interlocal agreements were progressing.

When board chairman Bennett looked at the agreement he stated, “It seems we have gone from a one or two page document to a seven-page lawyered-up agreement.”

“No doubt about it,” responded Evertson, “but it is our job as attorneys to anticipate the worst-case scenario and plan for it before it comes to pass.”

“Have we improved our understanding about the entities responsibilities of being current and responsive to the expenses that they owed?” Bennett asked.

Evertson’s response was, “I felt like it was already pretty clear in the tax code and this reiterates it.”

Bennett also addressed what UCAD did when faced with the $81,000 bill for legal fees ordered when UCAD was on the losing end of a lawsuit with a taxpayer.

“We went back to the judge for some clarification because we didn’t know how to handle it,” Bennett said. “We were unclear and didn’t fully understand why attorney fees were involved. We got no response from the judge.”

“The judge did respond by not responding,” stated Evertson.

“You mean his position was, ‘This is over, you’ll deal with it.’” Bennett said.

“Exactly,” said Evertson.

When the subject of perhaps getting reimbursed by the insurance company came up, Evertson said, “I am cautiously optimistic about our chances.”

Evertson reported the interlocal agreements are ready to be signed.

“Sabinal ISD approved theirs already, contingent upon removing one sentence,” she said. “And UCISD and Knippa are ready to sign theirs.”

These three school districts indicated in the agreement they do not want Walker’s law firm as their delinquent tax collector.

When board member John Harrell questioned whether the Arthurs (who obtained the judgment against UCAD in the aforementioned lawsuit) had been fully paid, UCAD chief appraiser Roberto Valdez said, “Ninety percent of the judgment had been paid and the rest is ready to be paid and will be sent in short order. We have received payment from the UCISD.”

The payment was added to their quarterly statement.

“Selecting a new tax delinquent attorney will require a process of the board reviewing proposals from interested firms, beginning next month,” said Valdez.

Next UCAD board meeting will be July 18.

crobinson@ulnnow.com, 830-278-3335

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