By Amber Hanneken
Staff Writer

HUGO — Marty Clinton helped the Hugo City Council approve new fines for traffic and other violations Tuesday night as one of his final acts as councilor. Effective following the Hugo Municipal Authority meeting, Clinton turned in his resignation from the council for personal reasons.
“(Clinton) has been a tremendous asset with the well-being of the people and city of Hugo always first on his mind,” Mayor Stan Payne said.
Working with Judge Mary Faulkner, city attorney Gary Brownsworth recommended changes to city fines. Faulkner has said the fines before were not a deterrent because she saw many repeat offenders.
After reviewing ordinance No. 850, which amends the fines, Layton Cox asked the council if they felt the new fines might be too high for some to pay. He said if citizens are forced into jail for not paying traffic fees then that will end up costing the city more money in the long run. Ultimately, the council decided the increases were not too high and voted to adopt the ordinance with an emergency clause to be effective immediately.
“All we ask for is compliance,” Cox said. “If you comply with the law, you’ll never face this issue.”

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