COA advisory board considers collections policy

St. Joseph County Commission on Aging Advisory Board members are considering a collections policy for Rivers Enrichment Center and Residence in Three Rivers.

The issue, raised at last week’s board meeting, centers on the fact that more than $5,000 is owed for damages and unpaid rent from three former tenants.

Board chair Deb Davis said the county doesn’t use a collections company in cases of unpaid rent or apartment damage. This prompted the board to consider options such as litigation, selling the cases to a collections agency or increasing security deposit from one month’s rent to one and a half.

Board members also explored the possibility of conducting additional inspections of the apartments throughout the term of a lease and more-thorough background checks.

The board plans to develop a policy to submit for approval, Davis said.