City hires firm to collect on delinquent civil speeding violators

YOUNGSTOWN

The city’s board of control approved a two-year deal today with an Illinois company to serve as its collection agency to go after delinquent civil speeding violators.

Municipal Collections of America will receive 25 percent of whatever it collects from those who haven’t paid the fees that range from $100 to $150, depending on the speed, with up to $60 in late fees.

On a $150 citation with $60 in late fees, MCA would get $52.50 for each collection.

The city’s contract with Optotraffic, the Maryland company that provided the speed cameras and processes and mails the citations, has Youngstown getting 65 percent of the citation fee and the company receiving 35 percent.

However, when the payment is late – at least 30 days from the date it’s mailed – the split becomes 55 percent for the city and 45 percent for Optotraffic under the contract.

In a scenario with a $150 citation and $60 in late fees, after MCA’s cut, Youngstown would get $53.63 and Optotraffic would receive $43.87.

The program has officers issue civil citations rather than stop speeders and give moving violations with a fine and points on their driving records.

For the complete story, read Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com