Every vehicle owner in San Benito County must pay an extra $1
each year to boost local law enforcement’s efforts to curb car
theft, drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter crimes.
Every vehicle owner in San Benito County must pay an extra $1 each year to boost local law enforcement’s efforts to curb car theft, drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter crimes.
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved the fee hike for residents registering each year with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
District Attorney John Sarsfield, who will oversee the program, estimates a $53,000 gain in revenue, according to his report to the board.
His office will split the funds with the Sheriff’s Department and share responsibility for spearheading the program. It is expected to increase training of personnel, defray court costs and improve enforcement of the crimes, according to a staff report.
The state Senate passed a bill in 1990 that allows counties to impose a $1 vehicle registration fee for additional revenues.
San Benito is one of a few counties in the state that hasn’t imposed the fee. The state Finance Department keeps records on how many counties have similar programs, but that figure could not be researched by press time.
“Some agencies have full blown task forces (funded by the fee),” Sheriff Curtis Hill said.
Kollin Kosmicki can be reached at 637-5566, ext. 331 or at
kk*******@fr***********.com
.
