Village Mulls Hiring Parking Ticket Service Program

Babylon Village officials are considering hiring a third-party service to help gain efficiency and greater compliance in its parking violation  process.

A special meeting of the board was held at village hall prior to Tuesday's public village board meeting for a presentation by Fundamental Business Service, Inc. (FBS). The company offers technology and consultancy services that promise to help violations bureaus to run more seamlessly and efficiently.

"It affords due process to the violators and more cost savings and efficiency for the municipality," says Dennis Farrell, president of FSB, which has been in business for over 25 years and provides its service to municipalities across Long Island, including Patchogue Village.

The goal is to have fines paid or settled in a timelier fashion and avoid the additional costs of tracking down scofflaws who ignore tickets and fines. Currently the village issues a letter to alleged parking violators after a ticket is issued, reminding alleged violators of the option to pay the fine or appear at a specified court session. The letter stipulates that failure to appear or pay the fine could result in drivers license suspension. The fine and court dates are also supplied on the ticket issued.

Babylon Village Mayor Ralph Scordino was not available for comment, by phone or email, by press time. Notice of the meeting was faxed to a local print publication and posted in the public areas of village hall, which include the lobby and an area near the sanitation department, according to the Babylon Village clerk's office.

According to FSB, the company's services provides greater additional notification to ticket violators about the compliance requirements and options before and after the stipulated court and fine date. FBS' web site states that services include management tools to help courts and parking violations bureaus enhance case management practices and increase compliance and revenue.

There are no upfront costs, such as software, hardware or network equipment, to implement the service, which is an online-based technology. Farrell said FBS is paid a percentage based on the amount of fines recouped.