Spokane7
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February 23, 2010 in City
City Council curtails red light revenue rule
Neighborhood councils won’t have to raise money to dip into revenue the city collects from red light camera tickets.
The Spokane City Council on Monday voted unanimously to amend the council’s 2007 camera law that devotes the city’s first $150,000 from red light camera profits to “traffic calming” measures like lane narrowing or lane striping. The old rules required neighborhood councils to have matching money to receive red light camera revenue for projects that councils wanted for their neighborhoods.
The new rules eliminate the matching requirements. Neighborhood councils interested in the money will be able to submit proposals for specific traffic projects to the city’s Public Works Department. The City Council will make final decision on spending from the fund.
In the first year of operation, red light cameras in Spokane raised $419,000. After the city’s contracted camera company was paid and other expenses subtracted, police estimate a profit of $103,000 will be available for traffic safety improvements.
Couple acquitted of caging 2 boys 
cowboy on February 23 at 8:45 a.m.
FIX THE POTHOLES!!!!
HankTingler on February 23 at 12:17 p.m.
FIX THE POTHEADS!!!!
Albert on February 23 at 3:57 p.m.
Pretty good news. The program did work out and surplus funds have been generated. Not too bad. In addition we can see a drop in accidents, injuries, and perhaps additional red light equipment installed at other high risk locations. It is appalling how many people are blatant about ignoring a red light…now the program will hopefully eliminate this risk. Need some more of these for sure.
Verbal on February 24 at 7:43 a.m.
Albert - the huge majority of revenues come from “rolling reds” - people who slow, but don’t stop before making a right hand turn. Not many fatalities from those, but a huge money grab for the city.