The Aurora City Council on Monday night postponed a proposal to renew a contract for red-light cameras at some intersections to see what comes from the .
Aurora has red-light cameras at more than a dozen intersections, and some money from that is used that work with the city. In all, the cameras generate about $3 million annually.
The issue has split council members for months, with some saying they want to continue using the cameras and others questioning their validity as a tool to deter accidents. The police department supports using the cameras.
The city’s contract with Xerox runs out at the end of June. But the council wants to see whether the legislature decides to ban the cameras before the city renews the contract. A bill to limit the cameras’ use is tied up in the statehouse.
Some on the council also have proposed asking voters in November whether they want to continue using the cameras. That proposal is scheduled for consideration at this week’s Public Safety Committee meeting.
Councilwoman Barb Cleland, chairwoman of the committee, questioned the need to seek voter approval about the cameras. She said a better option would be to consider the contract extension now. And if the legislature bans the cameras, the council could end the contract.
“I get nervous when we start taking every little thing to voters,” Cleland said before the meeting. “If the council disagrees with something, do we take everything to the voters? What were we elected to do?”
City Councilman Charlie Richardson said Monday he is working on a ballot proposal that will let voters know where the red-light camera money goes.
The city will address the contract with Xerox in June, just before it is set to expire. If it is approved, another six intersections would be studied to see whether they warrant the cameras.
