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Sleepy Hollow adopts collection agreement and increases penalties for unpaid citations
Summary
Trustees approved a contract with a collections firm and passed an ordinance adding a 35% increase for unpaid administrative-adjudication fines and authorizing referral to collections; the board framed the steps as a revenue-recovery measure.
The Village Board approved two linked measures aimed at recovering unpaid fines and penalties: a resolution authorizing an agreement with a collection agency (MCOA) and an ordinance amending the municipal code to add provisions increasing unpaid administrative adjudication fines and permitting referral of unpaid amounts to collections.
Why it matters: Officials said the change formalizes a practice of pursuing overdue penalties and will allow the village to recover amounts owed while covering collection costs. The ordinance sets a 35% penalty increase for unpaid administrative adjudication citations that are not paid or are not contested successfully.
What the board heard: The village attorney explained the ordinance "backs up the agreement" with MCOA and establishes that unpaid administrative fines will increase by 35% before referral to collections. A trustee asked where the increase is applied; the attorney explained it applies when a citation is unresolved or the respondent fails to appear.
Action taken: The board approved the collection agreement by resolution and then adopted the ordinance by roll-call vote. Trustees said the added authority is intended to improve compliance and ensure that recovered funds are turned over to the village after collection fees.
Next steps: Staff will implement referral procedures and report on collections performance; affected ordinance language will be posted with the village code and published for public review.
Vote: Both the resolution with MCOA and the ordinance passed by roll call (motions moved by Trustee D'Atley and Trustee Kennelly, respectively; roll-call votes were affirmative).
