Sioux City leaders plan to vote today to lower the fine charged for a red light camera ticket. Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott, says he expects a unanimous vote on the change.
Scott says the fee would be reduced to $100 if the person agrees that they ran the red light. He says if you want to contest the ticket, there would be an additional $95 added on.
The ticket currently costs $195 for everyone. Assistant city attorney, Justin Vondrak, says there is another change to the way a citation can be contested. “That will basically allow for a nominated party to contest the citation in court, currently only the registered owner of the vehicle can contest the citation,” Vondrak said.
Mayor Scott and two council members each said in their campaigns last fall that they thought the fines were too high. They represent the minimum votes needed to pass the new ordinance.
The traffic and speed cameras have been controversial, and have prompted a bill that is making its way through the Iowa House that would ban them.
By Woody Gottburg, KSCJ, Sioux City