Radar appeal denied; another appeal in works

Sheriff Andy Hester’s appeal to have the County’s radar license restored was denied.

The license was pulled for 30 days, which ends July 15, after a state review of tickets. The finding said the Sheriff’s Office’s collected fines exceeded 35% of the Sheriff’s Office’s budget.

Super speeder tickets do not count toward that 35%.

“It wasn’t lifted. We are appealing it to the next level,” the Sheriff said.

“He (the hearing officer) said he didn’t find anything wrong other than the court collected more than 35 percent and he had no choice because of that. It will be reinstated on July 15.”

The suspension was for 30 days.

Fines and forfeitures collected by State Court is the largest funding source for the County Commission, even more than property taxes.

Losing 2 weeks of that revenue for the 2025-26 budget should not matter, as collections were on track to be more than the County budgeted.

However, losing 2 weeks of revenue for 2026-27 will affect the County budget remains to be seen.

The new budget calls for a 3 mil tax increase. That proposed budget needed 2 mils to be balanced.

So, the County has some financial cushion already built into the budget.