Code Enforcement Board to Hear Red Light Camera Cases

The city’s Municipal Code Enforcement Board will start hearing red light camera ticket appeals starting in August.

Rules changing the scope of the Municipal Code Enforcement Board authority as the "local hearing officer" for red light camera tickets was unanimously approved by city leaders Thursday.

A change in state law allows ticketed drivers to appeal to the county court or a local hearing officer or board, which in Clearwater will be the group that also hears cases regarding abandoned buildings and sign code violations.

The changes had to be put in place by July 1.

Drivers appealing tickets to the Municipal Code Enforcement Board could face an additional $250 to the $158 citation. The board is expected to hear its first cases in August.

Mayor George N. Cretekos asked that the case load be monitored and a report come back to the City Council in three months.

The amount of cases and time it takes to hear them will be watched, said Pam Akin, city attorney. If needed, changes will be made to the process, which could include hiring a special hearing officer for the cases.

“If we see even in the first month, we will come back immediately,” Akin said. “It is not our intent to overload the code enforcement board.”

Related coverage:

• Red Light Camera Appeals Changes Come to Council
• Red Light Camera Appeals Coming Before Code Enforcement Board

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