Politics & Government
Grosse Pointe Woods Council Renews Contract with Collections Officer
The collections officer hired less than two years ago on a trial basis has helped bring in more than $200,000 in fines, fees and other costs owed to Grosse Pointe Woods. His contract with the city was renewed Monday by council.
The contract for a retired officer hired by Grosse Pointe Woods to serve as a collections agent and court officer has been renewed after a successful start to the position.
James Lafer has helped the city collect more than $200,000 in just more than a year, Woods Treasurer/Comptroller Dee Ann Irby said Monday. He began in April 2012 and has helped collect $216,896 in back-owed fines, fees and other costs, according to a memo prepared for the council by City Administrator Al Fincham.
Lafer is hired as a contract employee without health or other benefits and receives a salary of $21,600.
In addition to his work on collections, Lafer has served as an officer for court when it's in session--a point highlighted Monday when council unanimously approved his new contract.
By serving in that position, he is helping to eliminate the city's need to pay officers overtime to cover court. It also allows for road patrol to not be hampered.
Lafer has also developed and maintained a warrants list for the police department, which helps ultimately bring money to the city after they are arrested.
So far, 48 people have been arrested, which means those fines and fees are being paid in addition to restitution owed to victims in appropriate cases.
Lafer's newest contract begins July 1 and will continue through June 30, 2014.
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