Higher fines get city’s OK

By Barry Porterfield
Staff Writer

July 25, 2008 12:24 pm

— With a few adjustments of their own members of a Pauls Valley city group have given their approval to a batch of increases to the fines handed out for local citations.
The move came Tuesday after the PV City Council had been using the last couple of weeks to consider a list of proposed increases for the maximum fines given to offenders of local city ordinances. The list was submitted by PV Police Chief Dennis Madison.
Many of the changes came in the area of offenses involving drugs and alcohol.
“We talk about the kids and the schools and alcohol and drug use — we should raise the fines for these type of violations,” Madison said.
Even though the more severe of these offenses would likely be filed as criminal charges in district court, others would be considered municipal matters and include the city fines schedule.
Madison and four council members present focused some of their attention on the actual dollar amount for the alcohol and drug fines.
Ultimately it was decided to set many of those fines at a maximum of $400 plus court costs and state fees.
“It could be a deterrent,” City Manager James Frizell said about the higher fines.
“If you get it to the public that fines are higher they might see it as a deterrent. Even then some (offenders) are still going to do it,” he said.
A number of other areas were also on the council’s radar in terms of increased fines, such as moving traffic violations, harboring a vicious dog or those with habitual complaints, driving with a suspended license, noise violations, trespassing and crimes against property.
“Maybe we can educate our citizens to be careful,” Mayor Tim Gamble said.
At a meeting more than two weeks ago Madison reminded council members that any fines listed on the new schedule remains only a guideline for a municipal judge when punishments are levied in court.
Frizell was quick to agree with the police chief.
“If you approve a fine at $300 the judge can’t go over that, but he can go lower,” Frizell said.
In March the council took action that replaced fixed amounts of fines with the flexibility of allowing the city fines to increase up to maximum totals allowed by state law.
However, even with this set of new increases the top level for local fines still falls far below the state level.