Debt Collector to Go After Sewer Debts

And that headline, friends and neighbors, is the synthesis of about a thousand consumer punch lines about the collection industry.

Jefferson County, Alabama, is looking at more than $4 million in delinquent sewer bills – and, except for a debt collection law firm that they have working for them, little in the way of manpower to collect.

The county says it will today announce their selection of a debt collection agency to help collect from thousands of residents who feel they should be able to flush for free.  "We’ve never had enough staff in-house to provide for the collection of delinquent sewer accounts," Steve Sayler, county finance director, said.

The firm that wins the bid today will contact debtors within seven days after they receive a delinquent notice.

"People sometimes respond quicker to a collection agency or an attorney," said Karon Witt, business manager in the Office of Sewer Billing.