Ten cities can participate in a trial run of a scofflaw program in Denton County that will force drivers to pay fines owed to municipalities before renewing registration on their vehicles.

The program is designed to help cities that lack the resources to collect fees owed by motorists. County commissioners took action on a recommendation from a committee that said phased implementation would be the best way to initiate the program.

“The idea is to take some of the cities who have a lot less volume of fees and fines and implement it through them first,” Commissioner Hugh Coleman said. “Dallas and some of the other counties tried to do everything at once and they had all sorts of problems. Before we spend all this money, why don’t we do a prototype and see if it will work.”

The committee, comprised of several county officials, was formed earlier this year to study and work toward implementation of the program.

After a few meetings, the task of doing a countywide program appeared to be too daunting, Coleman said. The committee then suggested a smaller trial run for the program.

“We can provide the service for the municipalities that want to participate, and figure out all the potential glitches,” Coleman said.

Each participating city will need to enter into a contract with the Texas Department of Transportation to flag motor vehicle records for people with violations as well as enter into an agreement with Denton County to provide the service. With both agreements in place, the tax assessor/collector will be able to refuse to register a vehicle for those with violations.

County officials said approximately $5,694 will be needed to purchase additional computers, cables, software and furniture for the five tax office locations. A budget amendment will be processed before the end of the 2010 fiscal year for the purchase of the furniture, while the other costs are included in the 2011 budget.

County Tax Assessor/ Collector Steve Mossman said participating cities will pay a population-based fee to the county for the program.

A computer kiosk will be in each county tax office location so motorists can take care of fines on the premises. Another benefit of the program is it will provide motorists with printed proof of the citation payment in case updates lag in the state database.

“I don’t foresee much of any kinks in it. It’s an established program across the state, in other counties,” Mossman said. “It’s one of those things the county can do to help the municipalities.”

BJ LEWIS can be reached at 940-566-6875. His e-mail address is blewis@dentonrc.com .