Bridge system adopts tiered fines for NSF U-turns and moves to upgrade toll back office

Bridge staff reported the Port Laredo Bridge System will implement a tiered penalty structure for insufficient-fund (NSF) U-turns after final reading approval, with a first penalty of $500, a second of $1,000, a third of $2,000 and a $200 reactivation fee for suspended accounts. Staff said the ordinance must be published under a 60-day public-notice requirement and projected a potential effective date of Aug. 17, 2026 after execution of the ordinance.

Staff told the advisory committee that the current NSF U-turn problem had decreased in May (combined 139 incidents) but that changes to front-line operations were needed to reduce congestion and administrative burden. To enforce tiered penalties and reduce manual paperwork, staff described a planned back-office technology upgrade including: on-screen penalty displays for toll collectors, automated account notifications, consolidated daily revenue reporting, card-reader and kiosk enhancements, API capability, credit-card processing improvements, and data-archiving features.

Because the current toll-system vendor has been in place for 25 years, staff said the implementation will be substantial and could take one to two years; staff proposed hiring a consultant to define scope of work and run a competitive procurement (RFP/RFQ) to replace or upgrade vendor systems. For procurement integrity, the committee cannot participate in vendor selection, but staff committed to provide updates, scope outlines and periodic demonstrations.

Committee members urged that any public communication about the new penalties be clear and widely shared; several asked for short educational videos and flyers for industry and public users explaining the $500/$1,000/$2,000 tier and $200 reactivation fee. Staff said they will use the city website, social media and office flyers to advise the public after the 60-day notice.