By Staci DaSilva
sdasilva@kcautv.com
Just last month, the City mailed 903 red light camera citations. And at almost $200 a pop, it really adds up.
Have you ever gotten a red light camera ticket? "No, but I think I might have the other day, 'cause I drove through the light and saw it go 'blink blink blink' so there's probably one coming in the mail," said Damien Garber of Sioux City.
Damien Garber would be only one of the hundreds to receive a red light camera citation in the mail this month. And while getting one of those tickets may hurt, some people feel the camera's are still important.
Katie Colling of Sioux City said, "They make a positive difference. They alter the behavior that we don't want. People run red lights, they cause accidents, they run up our insurance premiums."
But both red light and speed cameras are also a revenue-maker for the city. Currently, 2 million speed camera dollars are budgeted for this fiscal year. But are the cameras here to stay?
well right now that's up in the air. An Iowa House Subcommittee voted to ban traffic cameras in the state. And when we sat down with Governor Terry Branstad a few weeks ago, he told us he'd support a complete ban if it's passed by the full legislature.
""Yea, I would. If the legislature feels this is something that's inappropriate I would certainly be supportive," said Gov. Branstad.
The city pays a large fee each month to use the cameras at 11 intersections around town. So what would happen if the cameras were banned?
"Basically our contract with Red Flex, our provider, would become void. We wouldn't have any obligations, at that point, left to fulfill," said Asst. City Attorney Justin Vondrak.
However, the City Council has a different scenario in mind. Mayor Bob Scott says the Council will be voting on February 6th to lower fines to $100 per citation.
Something that would make some drivers very happy.
"I think $195 is pretty excessive to me," said Garber.
Assistant City Manager Bob Padmore told me, the city was planning on using future red light camera funds to pay for part of an $18 million consolidated public services building.
But he says, the city is waiting on legislative decisions to move forward.
