GEARY – The City of Geary and Geary Police Department will run a twomonth “amnesty” program this spring where locals can potentially save big on accumulated fines.
The program will run from March 1 through April 30, Police Chief Cecil Harrall told the Geary City Council last Thursday.
Harrall said that when tickets or citations go unpaid, that can lead to warrants being issued for failure to appear or failure to pay. In addition to running the risk of arrest, that tacks on additional fees to the original fine – $350 for each warrant, Harrall said.
This can lead to minor fines stacking up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
During the city’s amnesty program, residents with unpaid fines and warrants can pay the original fine with all related warrant fees being waived, Harrall explained. He said the department has tried the program before and collected lots of fines; this year’s program will run a month longer than the last one.
Residents who want to pay their fines during amnesty can do so by calling or visiting City Hall at 405- 884-5466 or 115 S Broadway.
The Geary council voted unanimously to approve the program. Councilmembers Cozetta Johnson, Mary Hayes and Tabbitha Kiener were all present, as was Mayor Bobby Allen.
During the meeting, the council heard reports from Harrall and from Jeff Choate, the fire chief and Geary public works director. Harrall said the police department recently acquired a new vehicle that is ready and on patrol.
The council spoke with Kalep Mooney, whose wife Makala recently opened a new hair salon at 125 N Broadway, the former Geary City Hall. The council modified Mooney’s lease agreement with the city because there was no easy way to determine how much the salon is using in utilities; the Mooneys will now pay $450 per month for the space, utilities included.
The Mooneys will also be receive a credit on their rent for about $500 in improvements they made to the space before opening.
Suzie McCann was another guest at Thursday’s meeting, asking for a reduction of her water bills from late 2021 because of several leaks in her water line that took months to find and fix.
The council decided not to lower any of the McCanns’ high bills but did give them four additional months to pay them off.
Councilmembers also accepted the resignation of police officer David Randall and bumped the pay of Harley Lynch, a utilities worker, to $10 per hour.
The city is still seeking donations to finish its new animal shelter, though a generous donation from the family of the late Herman “Dee” Jameson covered about threequarters of what the city will need. Those interested in supporting the project can stop by Geary City Hall.
The city hopes to open the shelter by this spring, and is currently hiring for an animal control officer. Harrall told the council he is actively reminding residents to keep their dogs leashed and not let them wander around town.