Keep Those Quarters Ready

At last night's informal Common Council meeting, legislation was introduced that would increase the fine for parking meter violations from $8 to $10. Associated with this fine increase is a resolution, which was also introduced last night, to adopt the policy that de minimis overpayments of fees can be legally treated as "voluntary payments" to the City, and the City can keep the money.

It seems both actions were motivated by the same problem. Although **DO NOT MAIL CASH** is clearly stated on the back of a parking ticket, people have been sending in $10 bills in payment of their $8 tickets. The City then must expend "administrative time and expense" to locate the payer and return the $2 overpayment. Either of the legislative actions would eliminate the problem, but why not do both?
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