COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council
FROM: Mitchell Kalauli, City Magistrate
SUBJECT:Title
Adopt Ordinance No. 21-1267 Amending Lake Havasu City Code Section 2.56.111, Municipal Court Administrative Fee Schedule and Jail Cost Recovery, to Increase the Warrant Fee, Repeal the Suspension Fee, and Establish a Default Fee (Mitchell Kalauli)
Body
FUNDING SOURCE:
N/A
PURPOSE:
To adopt ordinance amending the City Code regarding the increase to the warrant fee, repeal the suspension fee, and establish a default fee.
BACKGROUND:
This is a companion item to the Master Fee Schedule. If the new Master Fee Schedule is adopted, it will be necessary to amend certain sections of City Code Section 2.56.111.
The Mohave County Courts coordinate fee schedules. Currently, the warrant fee is $150 except for the Lake Havasu City Municipal Court. The proposed increase will make the Court consistent with the other Courts.
SB1551/HB2143 are Legislative updates effective September 29, 2021. With this change, local courts will no longer have the authority to affect a suspension of driving privileges resulting from a person’s failure to appear or failure to pay fines.
The repeal of the suspension fee will address the legislative update. Establishing a default fee will assist with offsetting the cost associated with processing defaults for civil traffic violations, water violations, and local ordinances.
Staff recommends adoption of this ordinance.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Keeping the City’s Code up to date and a reflection of current regulations and practices.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The repeal of the $50 suspension fee will be replaced with the established $50 default fee. The warrant fee of $125 will increase to $150 dollars.
ATTACHMENTS:
Ordinance No. 21-1267
SUGGESTED MOTION:Recommended Action
I move to adopt Ordinance No. 21-1267 to amend Lake Havasu City Code Section 2.56.111.