City writes off portion of unpaid parking tickets, refocuses on current fines

A backlog of unpaid parking tickets in the Carson City Treasurer’s Office will be handled with a multipronged approach.

Thursday, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved writing off approximately $96,990 in unpaid parking fines and penalties from fiscal year 2010 through fiscal year 2021. Those who haven’t paid their tickets in those years will not be off the hook; per the motion, those old bills may be referred to a debt collection agency.

For unpaid tickets from fiscal years 2022 and 2023, Carson City Treasurer Andrew Rasor is exploring several options. He told the Appeal he will evaluate billing and collection companies, though any specific contract for services would have to return to the board for approval.

Rasor also pointed to NRS 484B.527. The provision in state law allows local authorities to file notice of nonpayment with the DMV, effectively placing a hold on vehicle registration. He believes this would compel many people to pay their tickets.

Supervisors asked about the most common types of parking violations, and Rasor said the smaller $15 fines for overtime parking make up most citations. The $25 tickets for parking in red zones and the $250 tickets for violations in handicapped zones are rarer.

Rasor said he sought a unified message from the board on the collections issue because four city departments are involved in enforcement — Treasurer’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Code Enforcement Division and Public Works. The latter department has an appointed hearings officer who reviews appeals, he said.

Supervisors stressed parking enforcement isn’t a big money maker. Rasor estimated paid tickets generate $9,000-$10,000 a year. However, enforcement can facilitate flow of customers.

Supervisor Stacey Giomi argued time limits downtown are important for business.

“Even if 80 percent of the time the people are self-enforcing … I think it’s a benefit to our residents and businesses downtown,” he said, “so I would not be for getting rid of it.”