After Red Bank's traffic cameras generated 30 percent fewer fines for drivers than last year, Mayor Joe Glasscock said he wouldn't mind seeing them gone soon.
"Thank goodness it's down," he said Tuesday night. "It tickles me to death we're not getting more revenue from it."
The numbers were revealed after an "appropriation overages" resolution quickly passed. Red Bank financial director John Alexander and all five commissioners didn't say a word about the adjustments during the meeting.
Red Bank camera fines are down $136,000 since 2009, including $93,000 in revenue added Tuesday to the city's $350,000 budgeted prediction.
Commissioners voted 4-1 in January to extend Red Bank's contract with American Traffic Solutions for 12 years. Some state legislators viewed the extension as a defiant move against early Tennessee House efforts to limit photo enforcement penalties statewide.
The contract allows Red Bank officials to consider termination in 2013, the mayor said.
PHOTO ENFORCEMENT FINES2009 actual total -- $579,1752010 predicted revenue -- $443,0002011 predicted revenue -- $375,000Source: Red Bank
"If we keep dropping yearly in revenue from traffic cameras, it means we did our educational job," Mr. Glassock said.
Reached on vacation Tuesday night, Red Bank City Manager Chris Dorsey seemed to agree. He said "the goal isn't to generate extra revenue."
"If you're correcting (driver) behavior, the revenue should go down," he said.
Officials continued to echo that the city doesn't make much "camera revenue" off the fines.
Fifty percent goes to American Traffic Solutions. About $32,898 went directly into city coffers in fiscal year 2009 after four employees were paid as part of the enforcement program, according to Mr. Dorsey.
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