JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
Ordinance 864 received approval from South Pittsburg’s Board of Mayor & Commissioners during the board’s October meeting.
The resolution aims to increase city court costs from $130 to $187.50 following reports from the city and South Pittsburg Police Department’s iSOMS system showing the city is losing revenue from increased mandatory court fees. City Administrator Michael Hudson explained how 10 years ago the city board set court fees to $130. But because of mandatory fees increasing over the years, the administration was left losing funds within its general budget to cover the increased costs. For each case, the city administration currently loses $5 to $6. Due to the increase, iSOMS officials recommended to Hudson that the city should increase its court cost fees to $187.50 to match over what the city owes for each court case.
“I called the city attorney to make sure we can do this, and if it would be beneficial to the city. And it’s my understanding that its common practice for this to cost $187.50,” said Hudson.
The town’s city board unanimously approved the first reading of Ordinance 864, and a second reading is yet to be reviewed until next month’s meeting.