Court costs in Kingston could become more expensive. Police Chief Jim Washam said the current amount is $138.75.
Last month the City Council voted on first reading to raise court costs to $150.
“The City of Kingston has determined that it is in the best interest of the City to amend Title 3, Chapter 2, Section 3-204 regarding court costs and set a revised court cost amount,” the ordinance said.
Washam spoke about the ordinance during a City Council work session last month.
“We are asking for an increase in court costs and the simplest explanation I can give you is I’ve been here 37 years and we’ve never increased for citations,” Washam told the City Council during the work session.
The ordinance passed unanimously on first reading during the regular City Council meeting on April 9.
“All fines, penalties and costs shall be imposed and recorded by the municipal court clerk on a municipal docket in open court,” the ordinance states. “In cases wherein the defendant admits guilt and waives the opportunity to appear in open court and in cases heard and determined by the municipal judge, the judge shall tax as court costs the amount of $150 per case, plus any litigation tax authorized by the laws of the State of Tennessee as well as the cost of any capias issued in the case.”
Kingston City Manager David Bolling reported last year that increased traffic enforcement led to a significant boost in court revenue.
“We don’t write tickets to generate revenue, but it does put more money in the pot that Mr. Bolling can appropriate to the police department, fire department and it keeps our city safe,” Washam told the City Council last month.
