Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Booking Fees a Possible Source of Revenue for SO

According to the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors, if the temporary VLF (vehicle licensing fee) increase dedicated to local public safety set to expire on June 30, 2011 is not extended, the county will see a drop in revenue for public safety in the amount of 4.5 to 5 million dollars.

Yet a small loophole for some amount of revenue may still exist.

On July 1, 2007 AB 1805 was enacted that allows counties to charge booking fees. This bill allowing counties the authority to charge booking fees (Government code section 29550 et seq.) is constrained when the state appropriates funds toward ‘replacement’ booking fee revenue; ie: VLF funds. However, if the state makes no related appropriation- which would be the case if the local public safety VLF authority lapses and no alternative funding provisions are made- then the counties booking fee authority reverts to the earlier option of charging one- half of  actual administrative costs for booking and processing arrestee.

To enact this authority requires a public meeting with a written 45 day notice to inform local entities that would be charged a booking fee if that fee is to increase.

No comments:

Post a Comment