Extra money from traffic tickets helps Provo budget

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Provo City is thankful for its police officers in a bad budget year.

If it weren't for the police, Provo City would have been facing a $119,000 budget deficit after November. Instead, the city has a projected $45,000 surplus because public safety revenue so far - money from traffic tickets and justice court fees - is 22 percent more than expected, or $163,000 extra.

Provo City spokesperson Helen Anderson said the city hired four additional officers in the last fiscal year. They have made a profound difference because they work specifically with traffic issues.

Citations are up 18 percent in a three-month period compared to a year ago. Anderson says it also helps that the city has its own Justice Court because it includes an employee who oversees collections on citations and tickets.

E-mail: aadams@ksl.com