The City of Saskatoon is taking steps to collect on unpaid parking tickets issued over the last four years. A report before council’s transportation committee indicates that there is over $6.1 million in outstanding parking tickets as of the end of 2021. Around 12,000 vehicle owners have two or more outstanding fines and may face consequences such as having their vehicles booted, towed, and impounded. City administration is considering a collections-based approach to address this issue, with the possibility of involving a third-party agency to assist in collecting payments. Out-of-town offenders may receive additional letters from the city or a collections agency if this approach is taken.
The city’s director of community standards, Matt Grazier, mentioned that they are exploring whether to handle collections in-house or to tender it out to a third-party agency. The goal is to improve the collection rate for unpaid parking tickets and provide clarity on the approach to take by the fall. This initiative is part of the city’s efforts to enhance its collection process and address the significant amount of outstanding fines. By targeting individuals with multiple outstanding fines, the city aims to deter repeat offenders and ensure that parking violations are addressed promptly.
The decision to involve a collections agency in the collection of unpaid parking tickets could result in increased communication with out-of-town offenders. Additional letters may be sent out either by the city or a third-party agency to prompt payment from individuals who have not settled their fines. This proactive approach aims to hold all offenders accountable for their parking violations, regardless of their location. By exploring options for collections, the city is demonstrating its commitment to enforcing parking regulations and recovering the funds owed from unpaid fines.
The use of a collections-based approach for unpaid parking tickets aligns with industry practices and aims to optimize the city’s collection efforts. By considering the use of a third-party agency, the city hopes to streamline the collection process and increase the rate of collection on outstanding fines. This approach may also serve as a deterrent to individuals who continue to disregard parking regulations and accumulate multiple fines. By implementing a proactive strategy to address unpaid parking tickets, the city is working towards improving compliance with parking regulations and recovering the revenue owed from outstanding fines.
The report presented to council’s transportation committee highlights the significant amount of outstanding parking tickets in Saskatoon and the need for a more robust approach to collections. With over $6.1 million in unpaid fines, the city recognizes the importance of addressing this issue promptly to ensure that offenders are held accountable and fines are paid. By exploring the possibility of involving a collections agency, the city is taking a proactive step towards recovering the funds owed and improving its overall collection process. This initiative demonstrates the city’s commitment to enforcing parking regulations and ensuring that all offenders are held accountable for their violations.
In conclusion, the City of Saskatoon is considering a collections-based approach to address the over $6.1 million in outstanding parking tickets issued over the past four years. By exploring the option of involving a third-party agency, the city aims to improve its collection rate and provide clarity on the approach to take in the fall. This proactive initiative targets individuals with multiple outstanding fines, with the potential for increased communication with out-of-town offenders. By implementing a collections-based strategy, the city is working towards enhancing its collection process, enforcing parking regulations, and recovering the revenue owed from unpaid fines.
