OCEAN CITY – A resort committee this month agreed to have the town’s attorney and city manager develop a collections process for municipal infraction fines.
Last week, City Solicitor Heather Stansbury came before the Ocean City Police Commission seeking direction on how to collect unpaid municipal infraction fines.
“It’s a subject I know has been kicked around by a lot of different departments, and it’s come to my department a variety of ways,” she said. “I think it might be one where we all get into a room and make sure we are on the same page.”
Stansbury told commission members last week the state’s attorney’s office stopped prosecuting non-incarcerable municipal infractions four years ago. As a result, as cases concluded not much was done to follow through on collections, she said.
“The question is what do you want to do now to try and collect them?” she said.
Figure out a percentage you can live with. Red flag the license plates at the parking cameras. So if they run their card at the kiosk you take the money off the card right then and there. Then send a letter explaining why the Xtra fee. The collection agency may guarantee a percentage you can live with after their fee. Then it’s out of your hands. Collections means it impacts their credit rating. May work better as an incentive to pay.
Great and practical idea. Since City Fail didnt come up with it, wont happen. Its too simple and City Fail doesnt know simple if it hits them in the face. Table it, we will come back next time, etc., etc., etc.