More Than $5.7 Million Saved for Residents During Amnesty Late Fee Program

By The New Orleans Tribune

Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s Amnesty Late Fee Forgiveness Program saved residents approximately $5.7 million during the three-month effort to clear past-due accounts with parking and camera tickets, sales and hotel/motel taxes, code enforcement violations, and library fees.

“I want to thank our residents for taking the opportunity to get right with the City,” Mayor Cantrell said. “City Hall is a place where everyone can do business, and every day we are working to meet residents where they are. This was a situation where everyone truly was able to get their ‘Fair Share’ — not just revenue, but much-needed relief.”

Chief Financial Officer Norman White said that while the program generated revenue, it came at a cost to the City.

“But we believe it was worth it and are excited at the enthusiasm our residents have shown by participating,” he said. “From its inception and through our collections, the Amnesty Late Fee Forgiveness has always been about trying to make it easier for our residents to get a clean slate on their accounts with the City, and to underscore our belief that City Hall is welcoming place to do business and enjoy City services.”

While numbers for the revenue generated are still being tabulated, here is a breakdown of fees waived by department:

Parking and Traffic Camera Tickets

Camera citation late payment savings — $2,709,225

Parking citation late payment savings amount — $1,404,933

Code Enforcement Violations

Total number of lien reduction applications approved — 50

Total amount of penalties approved for reduction — $145,141.18

Sales and Hotel/Motel Taxes

Total amount of revenue waived — $1,313,677.66

New Orleans Public Library Fees

Total library users who received amnesty — 5,558

Total fees waived — $169,377.05

This article originally appeared in The New Orleans Tribune.