Lehighton Area School District’s decision to continue its relationship with Portnoff Law Associates for delinquent real estate tax collection will be made during Monday night’s school board meeting.

The board postponed the decision last month, requesting more data from the firm, which is in its ninth year collecting delinquent real estate taxes for properties in at least one of the municipalities within the district.

“Since 2015, when we started covering the whole district, we have collected $8.2 million for Lehighton in delinquent taxes,” Kevin Buraks, a managing attorney with the firm, told the board last week. “In that time, we have seen a 40% reduction in the amount of delinquent accounts.”

Following Portnoff’s presentation at a board workshop last week, the vast majority of directors indicated they were comfortable moving forward with Portnoff as opposed to the district trying to collect the money itself, using the Carbon County Tax Claim Bureau, or hiring another law firm that does similar work.

Portnoff funnels all fees for their work to the delinquent taxpayer. The only cost to the district, which is one it eventually gets back if the delinquent account is paid, is for the initial letter to the homeowner and the associated postage to send it.

Buraks said Portnoff was paid $40,962 in fees from Lehighton taxpayers last year associated with its delinquent collection.

LASD director Kerry Sittler said if the district ends up going another route to recoup delinquent taxes, it may end up paying for that service.

“If we have to pay someone to do the job Portnoff is doing right now, that is money that can’t be spent on a teacher or a paraprofessional,” Sittler said.

Superintendent Dr. Christina Fish said Monday the district likely couldn’t hire someone to do the job for $40,000, which is nearly the amount of fees Portnoff collected from delinquent taxpayers last year.

Board President Joy Beers said if the district does vote to stay with Portnoff, she’d like to see monthly data regarding the situation of those who are not paying their taxes.

“If it is someone who has the ability the pay but just chooses not to, then I think yes we need to go after that, but I want to make sure the system isn’t victimizing anyone,” Beers said. “I don’t necessarily want to send the dogs loose on people who are already down on their luck.”

If accounts stay delinquent, the process could drag out to the point where the property in question is listed for sale. Buraks said getting to that step, however is rare.

“We sold 19 properties total across the state in 2021,” he said. “It’s rare we get there, but we can’t take that step away or we would have no teeth and we wouldn’t be able to represent districts to help them get their money.”

A large amount of delinquent accounts are paid, Buraks said, before attorney fees are charged.

“We really do try and work with everyone,” Buraks said.

“Many times, we offer flexible payment plans and there is also a hardship program for those who are really struggling to pay.”

Fast tracking a property for sheriff sale, LASD board member Nathan Foeller said, would not be the best way to serve taxpayers.

“It could be a situation where someone lost their job and they’re just trying to work through something for a year,” Foeller said. “Having someone like Portnoff who will work through that with them I think is better than rushing to the courthouse as fast as we can.”

Lehighton’s board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at the district administration building.