HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9023INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Ew-
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
No. 9023
March 24, 2009
Page 1 of 1
SUBJECT: AUTOMATED RED LIGHT ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM
COLLECTION PROCESSES
The Automated Red Light Enforcement Program was initiated on January 1, 2008. Over the past
fourteen months, 64% of the red light camera enforcement citations issued have been paid. The
City has collected $1,956,682 from these fines and, in accordance with the City Council's
direction, will use this revenue to fund traffic safety programs, including installing loop detectors
and temporary sidewalks around newly built schools.
The past due citations that have not been paid, representing an aggregate value of over
$950,000, will soon be handled by two different processes:
1. Linebarger, Groggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP, a collections subcontractor of our red light
camera vendor American Traffic Solutions (ATS), will seek to collect overdue fines. Per
the City's contract with ATS, we will reimburse ATS a collection fee of 23% of the receipts
due to the City.
2. In addition, an M &C will be forthcoming requesting that a resolution be adopted authorizing
an Interlocal Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to flag
registrations of vehicle owners that are delinquent in the payment of civil penalties
imposed by the City's Automated Red Light Enforcement Program. Section 707.017 of the
Texas Transportation Code provides that:
"If the owner of a motor vehicle is delinquent in the payment of a civil
penalty imposed under this chapter, the county tax assessor - collector
or the Texas Department of Transportation may refuse to register a
motor vehicle alleged to have been involved in the violation."
The Traffic Engineering Division program manager for red light enforcement will send a
CD-ROM to TxDOT monthly with the license plate numbers of delinquent violators whose
fines are past due by over ninety days. Flags will be placed on registrations of the owners
of these vehicles that owe fines and we will remove those flags when the fines have been
paid.
We anticipate that these measures will enable us to recover at least 15-20% percent of the
overdue fines. An update will be provided to you before the end of the fiscal year.
If you have any questions regarding this information please contact Randy Burkett, City Traffic
Engin , Transportation and Public Works Department at 817- 392 -8774.
Da#e A. Fi , P. E.
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS