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Councilmember Joe Thomas Jr. proposes $25 civil-ticket system for minor code violations
Summary
Councilmember Joe Thomas Jr. outlined a plan to convert many minor code infractions to an immediate civil-ticket model (similar to parking citations) with a $25 fine, a resident photo-upload cure option, and a 90‑day warning pilot before fines take effect.
Councilmember Joe Thomas Jr. visited the Garland Senior Advisory Commission to outline a proposed overhaul of how the city enforces minor property-code violations. He said the city would move from the current civil-penalty/municipal-court process to a ticket-based civil penalty for small offenses such as overgrown grass and missing fence pickets. "The fine under the civil penalty would be $25," Thomas said.
Thomas described the operational mechanics: an officer would photograph the violation, leave the ticket at the door and allow a tailored cure period (for grass, typically one week; for fence repairs, a few weeks). He emphasized the policy's intent. "The object is not to make this a revenue source for the city," he said, adding that the program is designed to reduce back-and-forth resource use and speed compliance for neighbors affected by violations.
Commission members pressed for technical details. Thomas and staff described using the city's eAssist/ESS ticketing system for initial reporting and said the city is developing a resident-facing upload function so a homeowner can submit a photo proving correction; staff would then dismiss the ticket. Thomas said the commission requested that the resident proof workflow be available before the ticketing program starts.
Thomas also described a 90‑day warning campaign before fines begin: "Let's say, start on April 1. 90 days is July 1. After July 1, this will be a $25 fine," he said. He outlined an exception process for residents who are physically unable to correct violations, pointing to a volunteer program called CodeCares that will bring equipment and volunteers to help.
The presentation drew a mix of support and practical questions from commissioners about how photos will be timestamped and shared, how multiple violations would be billed, and escalation steps for chronic noncompliance. The commission did not take a formal vote on the code-change proposal during the meeting; Thomas asked staff to return with implementation details and clarified safeguards for residents with limited mobility.
