Article Photos

Remember getting that parking ticket?

If you have yet to pay it in Marshalltown, don't be hyped up for your state income tax refund until you do.

Nearly 200 people with outstanding parking violations have so far been identified with refunds eligible to cover them.

Since January, excuses and payments have rolled in at the City Clerk's office - to the tune of $19,129 - and tax season isn't over yet.

The Offset Program, administered by the Iowa Dept. of Administrative Services, allows local governments to collect unpaid parking violations, placing a 'hold' against one's state income tax refund.

"Marshalltown was actually a pilot program about three or four years ago," said City Clerk Shari Coughenour. "It was spearheaded by former City Finance Director Cindy Kendall and we're now enjoying the fruits of her labor."

If a ticket remains unpaid, the amount will be held out of the refund and forwarded to the city. The remaining balance can then be transmitted to that individual.

Currently, Marshalltown has around $109,000 in outstanding violations with about $60,000 of that derived from parking tickets - and several of them are nearing four years old.

A common mistake people are making deals with selling a vehicle to a friend, neighbor or family member and just handing over the keys, Coughenour said. They fail to remove the original plates and follow up on title transference. A ticket will then be issued while the ride is still in their name - and for some, the original owner has no knowledge of a violation.

"Even though someone may have co-signed for the vehicle and no longer has it, the first title holder is responsible," she said.

----

Contact Tammy R. Lawson at 641-753-6611 or tlawson@timesrepublican.com