Tamaqua Area School Board wants to see more delinquent taxes collected and discussed its concerns with the law firm that handles the accounts Tuesday night.

Kevin H. Buraks of Portnoff Law Associates Ltd., talked to the board about its efforts in the past 20 years and its collections process.

The firm handles collections for more than 200 clients in 30 counties in the state and represents 61 school districts — including six in Schuylkill County, he said.

Tamaqua Area has seen a 16% reduction in delinquent accounts since the firm started collections in the district, Buraks said.

About half of all delinquent accounts are resolved without attorneys’ fees in the first two steps of its collections process, which involves notices and nominal fees for being past due, he said.

Board Vice President Nicholas Boyle pointed out that there are accounts on properties that haven’t paid taxes in 20 years and he wanted to know why.

Neither the board not Buraks discussed any specific properties, but the district provided a list ahead of Tuesday’s committee meeting.

Buraks ran through a summary, saying two paid in full, six were sold waiting on payment; three scheduled for sale through their firm; two listed for private sale, one sold by the county and the sale overturned; one is in a payment plan, three are in partnership programs, two in bankruptcy, four in repository, two are mobile homes, nine are vacant lots, two have deceased property owners, and eight are in the legal process, he said.

Buraks also noted that the county has been holding money owed to the district for sales of properties, as well and Boyle wanted to know how much, but Buraks didn’t have details.

Buraks explained to the board that the firm only received the list a few hours ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, and the attorney who works directly with Tamaqua Area couldn’t be reached by phone.

Board members questioned the process and collections, seeking to increase the amount of revenues coming into the district. Buraks told them that the firm will work with them and they will review those accounts.

Portnoff’s contract is up for a two-year renewal at the end of this year, and Superintendent Ray Kinder questioned the board’s intentions following the presentation.

Boyle suggested the district consider bringing collections in-house, but was willing to extend Portnoff’s contract for one year. Committee members did not want to lock into a two-year contract, based on their concerns.

District officials plan to ask the firm to consider a one-year extension of their contract, which would appear on next week’s agenda.