From
Amy Sprinkles
Title
Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 15, "Library," amending Section 15-8 "Fines and Penalties," to allow staff to set fines and fees with Council approval during the annual budget process
Presenter
Amy Sprinkles, Marketing/Library Director
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
According to the city of Grand Prairie’s Municipal Code, the City Council sets fines and fees for library overdue and lost items, itemizing the cost per day per item. Staff recommends following Parks’ lead and changing to a broader policy that states: Fees shall be set in accordance with policies as approved by the City Council. This would allow staff the flexibility to change fees and fines during the budget process, without having to change the Municipal Code every time a fee, fine or penalty is adjusted.
Staff’s goal is to streamline the process for efficiencies, and reduce the burden on City Council to have to act on various changes to policy during the year. Staff proposes policy changes affecting finances would be included in the budget process.
The existing Code reads:
Sec. 15-8. - Fines and penalties.
a) Detaining books or other library materials. Any person who detains a library book or any of the following items past the time provided for by library regulations shall pay the following fines for each day beyond which the item shall be returned, as a condition to further library services:
Fine Item Per day
Book $0.25
Art $0.50
Video cassettes $0.50
16mm films $1.00
Audiovisual equipment $1.00
b) Lost library materials. Any person who loses library books or materials of any kind shall pay the current retail replacement cost of that item and in addition thereto, the amount of five dollars ($5.00) to help defray the administrative costs of replacing the item.
c) Lost library cards. The charge for replacement for lost library cards shall be one dollar ($1.00).
d) Willfully detaining library materials. It shall be unlawf...
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