Key points:
• The Norcross City Council extended its contract with RedSpeed Georgia by five and a half years to continue using its school-zone cameras for speeding enforcement.
• With two pieces of state legislation pending the governor’s signature regarding speed-zone regulation, it’s unclear if strict reforms will go into effect.
• Norcross collects about $2.5 million in fines each year and is required to spend it on public safety.
The Norcross City Council approved a five-and-a-half-year extension with RedSpeed Georgia for its school-zone speed cameras, amending its contract and shifting legal and financial risk away from the city.
Council members voted 3-2 to approve the amended contract and renewal at the May 4 meeting, reflecting the controversial nature of speeding enforcement in communities around the state.
City Attorney Bill Diehl, a partner at TOKN, said without a new contract, the city would be on shaky legal ground and rely on RedSpeed’s willingness to maintain service.
“We need a new contract in place,” Diehl said. “Our five-year term is coming quickly to an end.”
Norcross talks RedSpeed
The approved amendment extends the city’s contract term until the end of 2031. It also requires RedSpeed to comply with state law and cover the city’s legal expenses in the case of a claim.
Diehl said the amendment anticipates potential action from the governor after questions from council members about the impact of new state legislation governing school-zone speed cameras. He said the city needs a new contract regardless of whether the governor signs the bill.
After a years-long controversy over school-zone speed cameras around the state, the Georgia General Assembly approved House Bill 651 on the final day of this year’s session. A companion bill, HB 1161, requires speed feedback signs and flashing lights in active school zones.
The compromise, falling short of an outright ban, requires periodic local referendums, consistent penalties of $75, clearer warning signs, operation only during school hours, and camera accuracy testing.
In addition, drivers must be going more than 10 mph over the speed limit to receive a citation. The city-generated revenue must also go toward public safety, not general government spending.
Norcross expects to collect around $2.5 million in revenue from RedSpeed fines next year. The private company issues the violation notice, collects the payment, and sends the city’s share to the municipality. RedSpeed keeps about a third of the revenue.
A city memo says there will be a citywide referendum during the November 2031 municipal election if council members vote to renew the contract.
Officials’ back-and-forth
Council Member Andrew Hixson was one of two votes against the new RedSpeed contract. Hixson said he wanted to table the discussion until there is action from the governor, acknowledging its language.
“The data show that it is working throughout the state,” Hixson said. “It’s also collecting quite a bit of funds … we have a month-to-month contract that will go into effect after June 30.”
Council Member Josh Bare said he wasn’t a fan of RedSpeed when the contract was originally approved, and still isn’t.
“I do support the police [and] pedestrian safety,” Bare said. “I just don’t like the way that it’s all set up … the best situation for a driver is to have immediate feedback.”
Council Member Matt Myers said he has heard overwhelming support for RedSpeed from Norcross residents. Myers said the community’s approval differs from others in the state, with different enforcement programs and service providers.
“There are some challenging locations, such as Beaver Ruin,” Myers said. “But overall, the data speaks to a safer drive, a safer pedestrian experience for the children around these schools.”
Police back camera enforcement
Police Chief Bill Grogan said the city began the program in 2019 and now sees about half of the speeding violations.
“I think people are accustomed to them now,” Grogan said. “We’re at somewhere like 4-6% of violators who are actually residents of the city.”
Grogan said he has spoken at the Capitol building about the need for flashing lights for transparency while cameras are in use.
“I’d be disappointed in our legislature if it went away,” Grogan said, sharing some anecdotes about excessive speeding on Lawrenceville Street. “Or, if it got so defined that we couldn’t actually use it for the purpose that it has … I do know that it works.”
The city has an FAQ page that answers common questions about enforcement, citations, and revenue.
In other business:
• Council members voted unanimously to begin contract negotiations with Arndt Municipal Support to help find the city’s new chief executive officer. Norcross City Manager Eric Johnson submitted his resignation on March 26, effective Sept. 11.
• During public comment, a group of students representing the nonprofit Next Generation Focus asked the council for a new youth recreation center for the community.
