Sikeston traffic tickets will cost $2 more

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Convictions on traffic tickets and other minor offenses now will cost an extra two bucks.

Sikeston City Council members approved increasing the municipal court's Domestic Violence Shelter Surcharge from $2 to $4 during their regular monthly meeting Monday.

Linda Lowes, director of governmental services, said the state auditor's office asked during a routine audit of the municipal court whether the surcharge should continue, as there were no applicants for the funds in 2014.

Legislation passed in 2010 enabled the city to establish the $2 fee on all convictions in city court, with the proceeds going to eligible domestic-violence shelters that serve the city, Lowes said.

The House of Refuge Domestic Violence Shelter has been the only eligible applicant and recipient of the fees collected by Sikeston's court in previous years, but because of an oversight, it did not apply this year.

Lowes said staff contacted House of Refuge officials and learned the shelter wants to continue to receive funding from the surcharge.

Additionally, Lowes said, legislation that became effective Aug. 28 will allow the city to increase the fee to $4.

The city's deadline to send applications to qualified shelters is Monday.