AgdaPkt 2010-08-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.1 G I� Page 20 Find�rtg #3 The red lighf camera systems instal�ed in fhe counfy are generating significant revenue for the cities. ln 2009, the amoun�the crties receive per citat�on ranges from �119.�7 (San Mateo) to $�42.49 (San Car/os}. Response The Cifiy disagrees with the finding. The City has had significant difficulty obtaining ifs po�tion of the fines from San Mateo County, and, as the Grand Jury explains, "the transmittal of the funds from the county to the cities actua�ly occurs some months later. In addition citation fines may be reduced by the trafFic court if appeafed." In addition, some fines may never be colfected if the offending driver fails fo pay th� fin�. As a result, the City's Red Light Camera Enforcement Program had deficits in its first two years of existenee (fiscal years 2008 and 2009). In fiscal year 2010 the program will experience a surplus, however the difficulty in collecting the City's porfion of fines from the County continues #o exist. As discussed below in respan�e t� Fi��ing #�, th� current revenue rea[ized by the City is surprisingly low compared to expected projections. Additionally, the revenue for the City will decrease as the � number of vialations decreases due to drivers complying with #he red light signa(. �inding#4 Three cities, Belmont, Souft� San Francisco, and BurJingame have recenfly instituted red light traf�ic camera programs. The incep�ion ciates are too recen� to report reliable emprrical afa�a. For the rernaining citres, the grand jury estimafed the po�enfia!monthly revenue based upon data recerved from fhe cities. Average lUlonfhly Cifations and Potenf�al Ci�y Revenue (Average number of cifations and average revenue earned�s based on data provided by the respectrve police agency fo fhe Grand Jury's survey. The number of citations and the revenue data as reported were for varying lengths of time-some for a few months;some for a year ar more. An average monfhly number was computed based on data provided as of Sepfemb�r 30, 2�09 and used here so as to make the informafion comparable from jurisdictron fo jurisdrefion. The cifies receive a portion of the fota!fine levied on the motorist. Please see fhe chart under finding#10 which uses Sourh San Francrsco as an example for the alloca�ron of fhe red light violation fine. Each cify surveyed provided the amounf it receives for each cifafion. This amounf was multrplied by the average monthly citafions fo derive average montf�ly revenue. The pofentral revenue is basecl on the number of citatrons rssued in any given month;however fhe transmifta! of the funcls from the counfy fo fhe cities actual�y accurs some monfhs later. !n addition citafion fines rnay be reduced by the traffic court if appealed. The revenue dafa presented is before payment fo fhe vendor. Whlpple Avenue @Veterans Blvd 89 Average monthly cita�ions; $11,522 Average Monfh Potenfial City Revenue 3