Panel files $1.53M water-debt collection extension as contract expiration nears

Atlanta’s City Utilities Committee voted unanimously Nov. 10 to file a proposed $1.53 million extension of the water department’s collection-support contract with Allied International Credit Corp. (US). The draft minutes record a filing disposition—not a favorable recommendation to authorize the additional year and money.⁠[1]

The timing matters: Allied’s current agreement ends Dec. 15, 2026, and its only renewal option has already been used. Ordinance 26-O-1623 would waive the city’s procurement source-selection rules to authorize another term, running Dec. 16, 2026, through Dec. 15, 2027.⁠[1][2]

Our earlier report on the extension request described Watershed Management’s argument for keeping Allied: avoiding an interruption in collection support and retaining a flexible workforce to pursue overdue account balances. Those are the department’s stated reasons for seeking another year, not findings made by the committee’s filing vote.⁠[1][2]

The ordinance reports that Allied recovered approximately $2.57 million from $32.91 million in receivables since the agreement began. Those cumulative collections are not a matching-period comparison with the proposed $1.53 million authorization for a future year.⁠[2]

The proposed funding would come from the Water & Wastewater Renewal & Revenue Fund. Even if authorized, the amendment would not bind the city until the mayor or his designee signed it and delivered it to Allied.⁠[2]

The committee entry gives no reason for the filing. The accompanying legislative packet still lists a Nov. 16, 1 p.m. Council step as pending; the records reviewed do not establish a final Council outcome or an executed extension.⁠[1][2][3]