What must cities with populations under 5,000 do with fines collected under Title 7 after reaching budget thresholds?

Cities with populations under 5,000 must adhere to specific financial guidelines regarding the fines collected under Title 7 once they reach set budget thresholds. The requirement to pay the state all but $1.00 indicates a balancing act in fiscal responsibility and regulatory compliance. This policy ensures that while local governments can retain a nominal amount to possibly fund local administrative tasks associated with the collection of those fines, the majority of the funds are redirected to the state.

This practice serves several purposes, including maintaining a fair distribution of resources for municipal functions across the state, as larger municipalities might benefit more readily from their collected fines. The retention of only a small amount is designed to discourage excessive reliance on fines for local revenue, thus promoting healthier fiscal management and reducing potential abuses in fine assessments. This system encourages local governments to strive for budget efficiencies without over-dependence on penal fines for their financial well-being.