PORTAGE | The City Council Ordinance Committee moved forward the proposed ticket violation ordinance this week in preparation to present it to the full council at its April 7 meeting.

The proposal would allow speeders to be cited under city ordinance instead of state law. That would allow the city to collect fines on speeding tickets. Presently money paid by violators goes to the state.

The change was proposed by City Councilman Ted Uzelac Jr., also a city police officer.

The council has already approved changes in city speed limits. To be cited under a local ordinance, speed limits cannot mirror those set by the state. The new speed limits will be 40 mph for the full length of Willowcreek Road, which now has varying speed limits: 35 mph on most connector streets such as Central and Stone avenues and Lute, Airport and Swanson roads and 25 mph on subdivision or residential streets.

The latest recommendations sets fines for violators and also establishes a defensive driving course which will give violators and/or prosecutors a choice between fining speeders or ordering them to a four-hour Saturday school. The violator would be charged $50 to attend the school, but successful completion would waive the fine and any possible points on their driver's license.

Proposed fines for violators were set at $20 for driving 1mph to 9 mph over the speed limit; $60 for driving 10 mph or more over the limit and $80 for speeding in a school or construction zone. Violators will also be responsible for paying court costs, approximately $114 on top of the fine.

If the measure is approved by the full City Council, new regulatory speed limit signs must be posted citing the city ordinance.