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SALT LAKE CITY -- The Salt Lake City Council wants to get tough on people who ignore outstanding parking tickets and misdemeanor fines.
The Deseret News reports Finance Director Gordon Hoskins told the council Tuesday night that debtors owe the city nearly $17 million in unpaid fines.
The council is considering a tougher policy that includes "booting" vehicles after three parking tickets instead of the current six. It also is looking at creating a collections unit, withholding business permits, garnishing wages, and rejecting vehicle registration and drivers' license renewals, although the Legislature would need to approve that.
The city also is talking about publishing the names of debtors in the newspaper. And, the council discussed threatening possible jail time for the worst offenders.
It's unclear how tough of a policy the council will actually adopt. It has until July 1 to decide how to proceed.
Councilman Carlton Christensen spoke about the issue on Utah's Morning News. To hear the interview, play the audio on this page.
