ICYM: Carson City Supervisors dismiss some unpaid fines, agree to pursue collection agency for unpaid parking tickets
The Carson City Board of Supervisors met on Feb. 15 discussing an issue presented by Andrew Rasor, the treasurer to dismiss parking violations from 2010.
The Carson City Treasurer’s Office required the Board of Supervisors to dismiss all fines and late fees from unpaid parking violations issued by code enforcement between 2010 and 2023 in the amount of $111,795. These fines have been identified as being uncollectible, or cost and time prohibitive to collect.
“The staff at the Carson City Treasurer’s Office, it’s just six full time individuals, including me,” Rasor said. “We try to do as much as we can in managing the amount of unpaid parking citations and sending out their required notices, but it is difficult.”
They are further asking for direction on using a debt collection agency to assist in the recovery of future unpaid fines. Rasor said the municipal code allows the office to use an outside debt collection agency and it would help assist the Treasurer’s Office in the management of the parking ticket collections.
“(It) will send a message out to the city that the city is serious about the parking citations that we are intent on trying to get that revenue that hasn’t been paid,” Rasor said. “The message is put out there that if they don’t pay then that could impact their credit rating or their score with that debt collection agency.”
Supervisor Stacey Giomi was concerned about the importance of the use of an agency, but understands they don’t have the time on their plate to handle all of this on top of their work.
“I’m not trying to minimize the parking tickets,” Giomi said. “But really, how much city resources do we spend to collect forty-five dollars, seriously?”
Rasor added that they are also looking at other opportunities to assist in this process, including things like blocked registration and a “scarlet letter” in newspapers if an individual doesn’t pay their parking ticket.
Bagwell mentioned they only make roughly $10,000 from parking tickets and the majority is the $15 time limit tickets, which are raised to $45 if not paid in time. She wonders if it’s worth it to put money into regulating it if they aren’t making money on it. Bagwell wants to send the unmanaged fines to the Carson City Department of Motor Vehicles to track down the unpaid tickets.
“I don’t think any of us are indicating here that this is a winning dollar proposition. The tickets are small,” Bagwell said. “But it has a benefit that you cannot quantify.”
The parking proposition to waive the fees and search for a debt collection agency or other additional options were passed.
“We’ll give it a shot, we’ll see how it goes,” Giomi said.
Other topics of discussion:
— Every five years, Carson City must revise its Hazard Mitigation Plan and resubmit it to FEMA to remain eligible for various forms of funding from FEMA.
The city’s current plan was adopted in 2021 and will need to be fully revised and resubmitted to FEMA in 2026. The Carson City Fire Department is asking for authorization to apply for a $135,000 grant from FEMA to hire a consultant to revise the mitigation plan, with a 25 percent local match not to exceed $45,000.
The Board of Supervisors unanimously authorized the fire department to apply for the grant. Bagwell called it "pretty normal" since it was another plan.
— A second reading regarding a proposed childcare facility off Mountain Street will be discussed which, if approved, will provide around 100 spots for children managed by the Boys and Girls Club. More on that here.
This proposal had no changes from the first reading and was passed unanimously by the Board of Supervisors.
To view the full Board of Supervisors meeting, click here.