Friday, April 25, 2003
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Friday, April 25, 2003 |
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Senoia traffic fines going up By JOHN THOMPSON
If you're caught speeding in Senoia, it's going to cost you a lot more next week. The City Council last Monday unanimously approved a revision in its fines for breaking the law in the east Coweta town. Mayor Dianne Cleveland said the fine structure had not been altered in eight years, and the current fines were being gobble up by mandatory charges, such as the county jail fund, local victim assistance fund and courtware services fee. "After those are taken out of the fine, we're sometimes looking at a deficit," said city clerk Debby Hogan. Solicitor Kemp Wright presented the City Council with a detailed breakdown of all the city's current fines an a recommended revised list. Wright said he had worked with municipal judge Scott Cummings on the issue, and also had presented a spread sheet detailing other municipalities' fines. So, what's it going to cost you if you speed in Senoia? If you're speeding up to 15 miles over the posted limit, you'll pay a total fine of $160. Currently, the city's portion of the fine is $90, which will increase to $100. The faster you go, though, the higher the fine increases. Speed between 16 and 20 miles over the limit and the fine is $225. The city's portion increases from $102.50 to $150. If you've really got your pedal to the metal, and are going between 21 and 25 miles over the limit, the total fine is $350. Senoia's part of the fine jumps from $127.50 to $250. Speeding between 26 and 30 miles over the limit also gets you a $350 fine. The city's portion of the fine increases from $140 to $250. If you're in a real hurry and are going over 100 miles an hour, the fine is $685, with $500 going to the city. Previously, the city received $270. The final speeding category is if you're travelling over 101 miles an hour. The total fine is $1,310, with $1,000 going to the city. Wright asked the City Council to look over the fines, and vote on the issue in two weeks. But Councilman Robert Hannah didn't see the need to wait. "If you and the judge agree, we need to implement them now," he said. The new fee structure starts Monday in Municipal Court.
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