City Clerk Abubakar Jalloh has developed a new, tamper-proof plastic ID card for taxi drivers.
The card replaces a paper document with a photo affixed, a less secure form of ID.
"It's more efficient, more accountable and will serve as another source of revenue as we increase the fees," Jalloh said.The city has experienced a boom in the taxi industry in recent years, increasing the workload in the Clerk's office.
Both taxi owners and drivers must register with the city. An ordinance increasing fees is on Monday's agenda.The city is also preparing to increase fees for liquor licenses. There are more than 30 establishments where liquor is available for sale or consumption in Plainfield, many being "grandfathered" in to state requirements for a certain proportion per population. (See a 2008 post here.)
Acting as the local Alcoholic Beverage Control board, the City Council approves or denies license renewals each year. The state sets a schedule of fees for renewals, and municipalities that are not at the maximum can increase fees. Click here to see a handbook on all the ABC laws.
The issue of having so many bars, clubs and liquor stores has been a sore point in the city for many years. Keeping fees to the maximum allowable is one thing the city can do to offset the burden on the Clerk's office in the annual renewal process.
--Bernice
With a 3 Million Dollar budget shortfall the City needs to look at increasing all FEES. WE need all money we can GET!
ReplyDeletePlainfield Law says in order to drive a Taxi you have to be able to speak English. This is NOT being enforced!
ReplyDeleteWhy would you have to know English to drive a taxi if at least half of your customers speak Spanish? How much English do you have to know to understand "take to to so-and-so street"?
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