Girard council votes to reallocate revenue from speed camera program

September 26, 2016 at 9:15p.m.

GIRARD

City council voted 6-1 Monday to readjust the distribution of revenue from its new speed camera program, so that a dedicated portion of proceeds will benefit streets and construction — at the expense of the general fund.

When council voted to authorize the program on April 11, an ordinance stipulated that 70 percent of revenue would go to the general fund and 30 percent would go to capitol improvements for the police department.

An amendment approved by council Monday instead distributes only 30 percent of revenue to the general fund. The police department fund will receive 30 percent and the streets and construction fund will receive 40 percent of fine revenue. Fourth Ward Councilman Stephen Grumley voted against the amendment.

Council’s vote disregarded the advice of Auditor Sam Zirafi, who suggested that 70 percent of revenue should go to the general fund.