Are we going to have anyone showing up? We need bodies there arguing our case against these things. Now is the time to do it.
KINGSPORT — The Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen will again discuss the controversial red light camera system during a work session Monday afternoon, with some city leaders saying they hope to put the issue to rest once and for all.
Kingsport has no plans to do away with the cameras, especially since the city went out to bid on the system — Redflex may get its contract renewed, or a new company could come in
Much of the recent discussion has not dealt with whether or not Kingsport should keep the cameras — city leaders agree on Kingsport keeping them — rather the talk has been about the $100 fine and whether Kingsport could lower the amount for court costs.
City Attorney Mike Billingsley has told the BMA reducing the court costs for just the red light camera fines would be unconstitutional. In addition, Kingsport is under contract with Redflex through the end of the year, which includes where the fine money goes.
“I don’t know how much leeway we have to change (the fine),” Mallicote said. “My preference would be to go to a somewhat reduced fine, but I can’t see any way of doing that, if we assess court costs. I don’t see any way to get there.”
From a article from Nov 7th shows Knoxville does not impose a court cost. So my question how can this non-uniformity in law and fines be constitutional?
“To be honest, once we heard (City Attorney Mike) Billingsley’s opinion on the applicability of court costs in all cases, I think that took the issue off the table for me,” Mallicote said, referring to Knoxville’s lower ticket price. “The reason Knoxville’s is less is they don’t assess court costs. Mike said he thinks that’s unconstitutional, so that’s the end of the story.”
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