What authority does the city have to contract with a vendor for collection of fines?

• A. The district attorney's office only
• B. Article 103.0031 of the Code of Criminal Procedure provides authority for a city to contract with a private attorney or vendor to collect fines, fees, restitution, and other debts or costs
• C. The Governor's office
• D. The county commissioners' court

Answer: (B)

Cities derive this authority from a statute that explicitly allows it. Article 103.0031 of the Code of Criminal Procedure provides that a city may contract with a private attorney or vendor to collect fines, fees, restitution, and other debts or costs. That direct authorization is why this option is the best answer. The other entities listed don’t grant municipalities the power to contract with private collectors: the district attorney’s office handles prosecutions, the Governor’s office doesn’t regulate city collection contracts, and the county commissioners’ court governs county-level matters, not a city’s contract authority.