County supervisors Tuesday are set to consider increasing
various fines for traffic and alcohol-related violations by up to
20 percent.
HOLLISTER
County supervisors Tuesday are set to consider increasing various fines for traffic and alcohol-related violations by up to 20 percent.
Supervisors can consider the increase due to a change in state law that allows the hikes for some criminal offenses, such as vehicle code violations and other offenses in the business and professions code related to controlling use of alcoholic beverages, according to a board staff report for the 9 a.m. meeting.
The report notes that 75 percent of the revenue would go toward the county’s emergency medical services fund, 15 percent would go to the pediatric trauma fund and 10 percent would go toward EMS administrative costs, according to the report.
The state Legislature first allowed the use of such special funds in 1987 to compensate physicians and medical facilities for patients without health insurance. San Benito is one of 49 California counties with an EMS fund, according to the report.
The changes proposed for Tuesday’s meeting would allow the county to extend the fine increases through Jan. 1, 2014.
County officials estimate the changes would add an estimated $120,000 annually in revenue.
