(Mineola, NY - January 2, 2001) Nassau County Legislator and Minority Leader Peter J. Schmitt (R-Massapequa) has released a report entitled "Nassau County's Traffic and Parking Violations Agency: Where Do We Go From Here?". The report, based upon the findings of the Legislative Budget Review Office, contains 12 recommendations to increase revenues, improve operations at TPVA and improve service to the taxpayers. If implemented these recommendations could result in more than $2 million in new revenue to the County.

"We believe that by undertaking these recommendations that the Traffic and Parking Violations Agency (TPVA) could significantly increase the amount of revenues that it achieves each year," said Legislator Schmitt. "We can improve operations at TPVA while at the same time improving service for our taxpayers."

The report issued by the Republican legislators makes the following recommendations.

1. Hire additional clerks. The Legislative Budget Review Office has determined that by increasing the staff by 5 positions at an annual cost of $200,000 (salary and fringe) TPVA would increase revenues by $1.9 million on an annual basis. In addition, it is recommended that the Legislative Budget Review Office conduct a field audit of TPVA to ensure that work processes are in place to assure the proper utilization of the new employees and existing staff. The staff level request could be reduced.
   
   
2. Move forward with the establishment of a third courtroom to reduce backlogs and lines.
   
   
3. Begin steps to secure a vendor to provide the appropriate guidance, hardware and software to upgrade the County's web site to permit for the payment of parking tickets via the County's web site. New York City receives on average $450,000 in revenue from individuals paying for their violations over the Internet.
   
   
4. Begin steps to secure a vendor to provide the appropriate guidance, hardware and software to upgrade TPVA's phone system to allow for the payment of parking tickets over the telephone. New York City receives on average $900,000 in revenue from individuals paying for their violations over the telephone.
   
   
5. Explore the establishment of Neighborhood Payment Centers to allow residents to conveniently pay for their tickets. New York City realizes approximately $1.7 million monthly at these locations.
   
   
6. Change the address on the back of County issued parking tickets so that the monies are mailed directly to the lockbox insuring the quick deposit of checks sent to pay for parking tickets. Many checks for parking tickets are still sent to TPVA directly causing a backlog of tickets and uncashed checks.
   
   
7. Issue an RFP for the installation of an ATM machine in the TPVA offices so as to generate additional income for the County while at the same time offering residents the convenience of obtaining funds to pay their fines without having to leave the TPVA premises.
   
   
8. Issue an RFP for the solicitation of bids from the banking and financial service industries for the acceptance of credit and debit cards as a means to make payments to TPVA.
   
   
9. Seek state legislation permitting TPVA to be able to receive payment by credit card and debit card for moving violations.
   
   
10. Explore privatization opportunities at TPVA.
    
    
11. Undertake legal research with respect to converting violations of State law into County ordinances, thereby increasing the number of fines that the revenue received remains with the County and not forwarded to the State.
    
    
12. Examine the establishment of a program to permit those persons with no ability to pay for parking tickets to undertake volunteer duties on County property e.g. litter removal.