Fines set to increase in Sharp County

Those who get tickets or fines in Sharp County should be prepared to pay more. Sharp County Quorum Court passed an ordinance June 8 to increase the costs to help defray rising costs associated with the Sharp County Jail.

Ordinance 2009-6 was enacted to authorize both the city and county to increase the amount of fines by not more than $20 to help defray costs for those incarcerated in the county jail.

These fines will be collected from anyone who pleads guilty, nolo contender or forfeits their bond.

The ordinance details the collection and states that it must be deposited into a fund utilized to help with costs associated with maintenance and upkeep of the jail, defrayment of costs of holding prisoners, transportation expenses incurred by inmates, purchases of equipment for the county jail and maintenance of that equipment. Also, the additional fee can be used to pay for such things as training, salaries and certificates for jailers and deputies.

The ordinance went into effect June 8.