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Mark C. Poloncarz, Comptroller
08/03/09
POLONCARZ ANNOUNCES MAJOR REVENUE IMPROVEMENTS IN PROBATION FEES

Comptroller Commends County Employee for Collection Enhancements

Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz today announced major improvements in the County's collection of supervision fees imposed on probationers under the supervision of the Erie County ("County") Department of Probation ("Probation") including a new monthly collection record of nearly $51,000 in such fees and a nearly 200% increase in the monthly collection of such fees since 2006.

In summer 2005, following the County's red and green budget crisis, the County Executive and County Legislature approved the imposition of new supervision fees on probationers and received state approval to impose said fees. The probation fees collected include general supervision, drug testing, alcohol/driving while intoxicated, and electronic monitoring fees. The County's Department of Probation receives all revenues from these fees to be used for probation supervision.

In 2007, following changes to the Erie County Charter approved at public referendum in 2006, the Comptroller's Office assumed certain revenue recovery and collection responsibilities that were formerly controlled by the County Executive's Division of Budget, Management and Finance, including responsibility for collecting probation fees. Upon the Comptroller's assumption of these tasks, he assigned his new staff to aggressively pursue and increase collection of delinquent and outstanding probation supervision fees owed to the County by probationers.

For June 2009, the County collected $50,964 through 697 payments, the highest single-month collection ever. Through the efforts of the Comptroller's revenue recovery employee working with Probation staff, the 2009 average monthly collection is $47,062, a 233% increase over the $20,209 average monthly collection in 2006, the year prior to the Comptroller's assumption of collection responsibilities.

Poloncarz specifically acknowledged Laurie Meacham, a collections specialist in the Comptroller's revenue recovery unit for her outstanding efforts in collecting the probation supervision fees. Poloncarz said "Since I hired Ms. Meacham in April 2007 and she began working in Probation, the County's collections have increased two-fold." He added "My office is always ready, willing and able to assist other County departments in collection matters, as we are charged with most revenue recovery powers under the County's Charter. The collaborative work between Ms. Meacham and Probation staff demonstrates that collaboration between my office and the county administration benefits our taxpayers."