Members of the Farmville Town Council voted to approve an ordinance Dec. 12 that would allow an electronic summons fee for those in criminal and traffic cases where the defendant is convicted of a violation.

Ordinance No. 191, Electronic Summons System Fee; Amount; Administration, states that “in addition to any other fees prescribed by law, a fine in the amount of $5 in each criminal and traffic case in which the defendant is convicted of a violation of any statute of the Commonwealth or any ordinance of the town in either the General District Court or Circuit Court of Prince Edward County or Cumberland County when the action that gave rise to the criminal charge or traffic violation occurred within the Town of Farmville.”

“The clerk of court in which the action is concluded shall collect the assessment and remit it to the town treasurer,” the ordinance continued. “The Treasurer shall disburse such funds to the Farmville Police Department for the purpose of funding software, hardware and associated equipment costs for the implementation and maintenance of an electronic summons system in accordance with Section 17.1-279.1 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended.”

A portion of the code reads, “Any county, city or town, through its governing body, may assess an additional sum not in excess of $5 as part of the costs in each criminal or traffic case in the district or circuit courts located where such cases are brought in which the defendant is charged with a violation of any statute or ordinance, which violation in the case of towns arose within the town.”

No one spoke during the public hearing for the ordinance.