Will a budget cut follow?

**idlewind** · 08-16-2009, 10:58 AM

Our Sheriff does not want to add an additional surcharge to traffic tickets as allowed by statute.

Walton proposes doubling traffic ticket surcharge | traffic, walton, surcharge - News - Northwest Florida Daily News

Since I am sure he does not support additional property taxes, I expect to see a $150,000 proposal to cut his budget at the next budget hearing. Or maybe someone has found the money tree.

How can a lawman not support soaking the lawbreakers?

**wrobert** · 08-17-2009, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by idlewind

Our Sheriff does not want to add an additional surcharge to traffic tickets as allowed by statute.

Walton proposes doubling traffic ticket surcharge | traffic, walton, surcharge - News - Northwest Florida Daily News

Since I am sure he does not support additional property taxes, I expect to see a $150,000 proposal to cut his budget at the next budget hearing. Or maybe someone has found the money tree.

How can a lawman not support soaking the lawbreakers?

I spoke to him about this a couple of weeks ago and I got the impression that he is wanting to be really careful that a situation does not arise, or even appear to arise, of deputies writing more tickets to fund his department.

**Bob Wells** · 08-18-2009, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by wrobert

I spoke to him about this a couple of weeks ago and I got the impression that he is wanting to be really careful that a situation does not arise, or even appear to arise, of deputies writing more tickets to fund his department.

Although I appreciate the Sheriff does not want the perception his department will be writing more tickets because of the increase in fines, but I think the proof would be in the end result when the total is tallied. Forget writing tickets for the sake of writing tickets, write them to enforce the laws, speeding, seatbelts, and other traffic infractions.

**scooterbug44** · 08-18-2009, 11:36 PM

What is wrong w/ writing more tickets to get money in the coffers?

I certainly don't have a problem w/ the win-win of punishing lawbreakers AND getting money in the ol' bank accounts. Based on what I witness multiple times per day, we could double the amount of tickets we issue and still be only handing them out for truly major/blatant offenses.

Though I must say I have been quite impressed w/ the new Sheriff's caution and handling of the media etc.

**idlewind** · 08-19-2009, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

What is wrong w/ writing more tickets to get money in the coffers?

I certainly don't have a problem w/ the win-win of punishing lawbreakers AND getting money in the ol' bank accounts. Based on what I witness multiple times per day, we could double the amount of tickets we issue and still be only handing them out for truly major/blatant offenses.

Though I must say I have been quite impressed w/ the new Sheriff's caution and handling of the media etc.

You are on target scooterbug. The fact is we are not talking about writing MORE tickets, just raising the price on what they are already writing. 150G is a fair amount of money and is money not coming from property or sales taxes. I would think this is good for everyone.

**florida girl** · 08-21-2009, 12:52 AM

I'm impressed; I would not have thought he would have made such a position. I have to agree with him, something about killing the golden goose, or bleeding the constituents dry, or shooting yourself in the foot. As goes the constituent, so goes the government. Adding and increasing fees at a time of recession is not a good thing, and doesn't make much sense.