Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Traffic Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners reluctant on all‑day school speed cameras; staff to return with options
Summary
DOT staff outlined statutory requirements for school speed‑zone video enforcement and options for appeals and procurement; multiple commissioners said they prefer continued sheriff enforcement to cameras and urged staff to return with a concurrence item later.
Rob Price, speaking for Lee County DOT, reviewed 2023 legislation (House Bill 657) and a related change to state law that permits video enforcement in school reduced speed zones. Price told the board that local implementation requires a new ordinance, a public awareness campaign, updated signage and permits, and an appeals process. "To implement the school speed zone video enforcement, we will need to approve a new ordinance via public hearing," Price said.
Price explained key enforcement timing constraints in state law and the civil penalty structure: citations may be issued for violations of 10 mph or more over the controlling limit and carry a $100 civil penalty, with specified distributions: $20 to the state general fund, $5 to a school crossing guard recruitment fund, $3 to FDLE training, $12 to the local school district for walking‑safety improvements and the remainder to the county (with vendor operating costs deducted). Price also noted that issuing a uniform traffic citation requires a deputized individual, so the county would need to coordinate with the sheriff’s office for citation review and issuance.
Staff asked for board direction on (a) which county‑maintained school zones to include (two schools highlighted are located inside Fort Myers city limits with portions on county roads), (b) how to handle appeals (hearing examiner vs. outside magistrate), (c) procurement approach (piggyback vs. RFP) and (d) implementation timing. Price told commissioners that piggybacking a contract could shorten procurement to 2–4 months, while an RFP could take 6–9 months; either route would likely miss the immediate next school‑year start.
Several commissioners said they preferred existing sheriff enforcement to cameras and were concerned about all‑day camera enforcement and public reaction. One commissioner noted deputies are monitoring some school zones daily and said, "I actually would prefer not to see them replaced with cameras." Another commissioner said experience in other jurisdictions shows cameras often prompt complaints and resistance.
The County Manager said he would bring the item back for concurrence at a later board meeting after staff refines options. No ordinance or procurement action was taken at the workshop.
