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Stephens County approves agreement with Georgia Department of Revenue for school traffic cameras amid questions about contract access and revenue flow
Summary
The board authorized an agreement related to school traffic camera enforcement administered through the Georgia Department of Revenue; commissioners voiced concerns about not receiving the contract text and about whether the county would forfeit local revenue if it declined to sign.
The Stephens County Board of Commissioners voted to enter into an agreement with the Georgia Department of Revenue to process civil citations from a school traffic camera system. Staff told the board the sheriff’s office will handle law enforcement functions while the Department of Revenue handles fine processing and distribution.
During discussion several commissioners said they had requested a copy of the contract and that they had not received it from the chair’s office. Commissioners expressed concern that if the county declined to enter the agreement the fines collected by the camera vendor could be remitted to the state rather than flow to county coffers, because the third‑party processing contract is structured through the state and a separate step is required for the county to receive funds.
Staff and a presenter said the cameras are active only during posted school hours and certain extended hours after school, and that the sheriff’s office retains operational control of enforcement times. The board discussed fiscal implications and the administrative role it was being asked to perform; staff advised that funds collected under the program are intended to be routed through the Department of Revenue unless the county elects to participate administratively.
After discussion a motion to approve the agreement carried. The transcript does not include vote tallies. Commissioners asked staff to continue seeking the contract text and to provide clarity on how collected funds will be handled administratively.
