April, 2007

Gregg County Grants Online Payment Option for Prec. 1-4 and Court at Law #1 Gregg County Commissioners has contracted with TrafficPayment.com to provide a new option for citation holders. In a meeting Monday, April 9, the decision was made to adopt a VU non-integrated payment system administered by Addison, Texas based TrafficPayment.com. The system will complement the county’s new court collections department which was created in May, 2006. The collections department is now required by law according to Texas Senate Bill 1863 which was passed in 2005.

The Bill requires all counties with a population of 50,000 residents or more and cities of 100,000 and up to implement a program that improves collection of fines and fees from defendants in county, district and justice courts. Failure to comply with the mandate could mean forfeiture of 10% of total collections that the state gives to the county. For Gregg County, that amounted to more than $70,000 in fiscal 2005, and it could mean as much as $90,000 in 2007, according to Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt.

TrafficPayment.com will allow participating Gregg County Courts—which includes Precincts 1-4 and County Court at Law #1—to accept online credit card payments for all fines and fees in Gregg County. The VU system, which requires no integration into management software, and no software or hardware installation or even an internet connection, is very user friendly and straightforward. By entering specific citation information and using a credit card, violators can resolve outstanding tickets instantly. This service can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week online, or by phone during regular business hours Monday through Friday.

Located in East Texas where the county seat is Longview, Gregg County issues approximately 15,000 citations annually. It joins a growing number of counties and municipalities who want more efficiency for their court system as well as greater convenience for those they serve. An outstanding feature of TrafficPayment.com’s solution is that it is available to the county at no cost.

For additional information about TrafficPayment.com, go to www.TrafficPayment.com or call 1-800-444-1187.