HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Cover letter for proposed ordinance City Attorney's Office
Caring People 515 Clark Avenue,P. O.Box 811
Qualily Program Ames,IA 50010
Eveplo,nal Se? ire Phone: 515-239-5146 • Fax: 515-239-5142
August 1, 2000
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The Honorable Ted Tedesco, Mayor, CITY CLERK
and Members of the City Council CITY OF AMES,IOWA
of the City of Ames, Iowa
Re: Ordinance Changing Maximum Fine for Misdemeanors
Dear Mayor Tedesco and Council Members:
You may recall that earlier this year the monetary penalties for ordinances which are charged as
misdemeanors was changed to provide for a maximum fine of $200. Under state law, it had
previously been capped at $100 for cities, but was changed in 1999.
When the Iowa legislature raised the maximum for city misdemeanor charges to $200,they also raised
the maximum fine for simple misdemeanors under state law to $500. In effect, this created two
different penalty levels for identical offenses charged as simple misdemeanors dependent only on
whether the charge was under city ordinance or state law.
During this most recent legislative session, the Iowa legislature acted to correct this inconsistency by
passing a law authorizing cities to provide for monetary penalties of up to $500, consistent with state
law penalties. This ordinance will put into effect that change and authorize the Court to impose fines
up to that amount.
Yours truly,
t I ia,
Judy K. Parks
Assistant City Attorney
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