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Falling photo‑enforcement revenue forces court adjustments; Redflex contract and camera design cited
Summary
City staff told the budget committee that red‑light/photo enforcement revenue has dropped since cameras were reactivated, cutting projected municipal court income by roughly $400,000–$500,000 per year; the budget reflects court staffing reductions and higher vendor costs (including Redflex) tied to CPI adjustments and contract terms.
Finance and departmental staff told the budget committee that revenue from photo enforcement and traffic fines has declined and that the city reset revenue assumptions for the 5‑year forecast.
Finance Director David Broadway and City Manager Craig Sheldon said intersection redesigns and behavior changes reduced the number of enforceable violations at certain locations; Broadway said the reset cut expectations by “about $400,000 to $500,000” annually compared with earlier assumptions. He also told the committee that deposits and daily receipts show the money is not returning to prior levels.
Court and vendor impacts
Staff said the municipal court’s budget is being adjusted: the court budget includes a personnel reduction of about 1.5 FTE and materials and services expense remains materially affected by the traffic camera contract. Broadway told the committee the contract manager (vendor) now charges amounts adjusted by a CPI index and that the city is paying more in annual vendor fees than during earlier, lower‑revenue years.
Redflex and contract mechanics
Committee members and staff discussed contract structure and pass‑through payments to state and county; staff explained that the city records its share of revenue and then records vendor payments and other pass‑throughs as expenses and liabilities, and remits required shares to state and county partners. Broadway confirmed the Redflex vendor fee is included as a materials and services expense in the municipal court budget.
Policy and options
Committee members asked whether portable cameras, recently authorized by state law, might be deployed to manage behavior at school zones and other locations; staff said those options are under council and traffic committee consideration and would require further policy and program design.
Ending
Staff said they will continue to monitor daily revenue trends, adjust staffing and court schedules to align with reduced volume, and report back to the committee if program or contract changes are recommended.
