Another City parking issue has come to the forefront as the paid parking proposals have been vanquished.
Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Safety Richard C. Wirth has announced an amnesty program on all overdue City parking tickets from Monday, March 22 through Saturday, April 3. During this time all late fees will be waived.
Commissioner Wirth estimated that the City has approximately $1.2 million outstanding in unpaid parking tickets and late fees and well over 25,000 unpaid parking tickets over the past eleven years (see side boxes.) By comparison, Saratoga Springs is currently facing a $1.3 million deficit after the decision to forego implementation of paid parking.
Reached by phone, Commissioner Wirth stated that he hoped that by collecting a good portion of the outstanding fines, Public Safety "could make a substantial contribution towards the difficult situation we face with our budget. We also hope by waiving the overdue fees, many people will take advantage of what could be a substantial savings for them and help the City at the same time."
Indeed, some of the data cited by Commissioner Wirth indicated that many people could save substantial dollars by clearing their tickets. "I have just compiled these statistics," Wirth said, "currently there are 39 individuals that owe $1,000 or more in parking tickets and late fees. Another 29 people owe between $800 and $999."
Wirth went further: "We have records that show that 142 individuals owe between $500 and $799, and a total of 371 people owe between $300 and $499. Even with waiving the late charges, the City could collect several hundred thousand dollars if people come forward and clear these tickets.
People who wish to participate in the amnesty program may visit the Department of Public Safety's office in City Hall at 474 Broadway Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the amnesty period. Payment may be made through cash, check or money order. Credit cards are not accepted. If payments are mailed in, they must be postmarked by April 3 to qualify for the late fee amnesty.
Commissioner Wirth estimated that the City has approximately $1.2 million outstanding in unpaid parking tickets and late fees and well over 25,000 unpaid parking tickets over the past eleven years (see side boxes.) By comparison, Saratoga Springs is currently facing a $1.3 million deficit after the decision to forego implementation of paid parking.
Reached by phone, Commissioner Wirth stated that he hoped that by collecting a good portion of the outstanding fines, Public Safety "could make a substantial contribution towards the difficult situation we face with our budget. We also hope by waiving the overdue fees, many people will take advantage of what could be a substantial savings for them and help the City at the same time."
Indeed, some of the data cited by Commissioner Wirth indicated that many people could save substantial dollars by clearing their tickets. "I have just compiled these statistics," Wirth said, "currently there are 39 individuals that owe $1,000 or more in parking tickets and late fees. Another 29 people owe between $800 and $999."
Wirth went further: "We have records that show that 142 individuals owe between $500 and $799, and a total of 371 people owe between $300 and $499. Even with waiving the late charges, the City could collect several hundred thousand dollars if people come forward and clear these tickets.
People who wish to participate in the amnesty program may visit the Department of Public Safety's office in City Hall at 474 Broadway Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the amnesty period. Payment may be made through cash, check or money order. Credit cards are not accepted. If payments are mailed in, they must be postmarked by April 3 to qualify for the late fee amnesty.
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