Delays in the Resolution of Appeals for Fines in the Enforcement Phase

The data speaks for itself. The appeals submitted to the registry in May 2023, yes in 2023, for fines in the enforcement phase (with surcharges) were resolved at the beginning of September 2024, MORE THAN 15 MONTHS LATER and obviously out of time, considering that the enforcement phase is much faster when it comes to collecting than when it comes to resolving.

All of this with the added aggravation that many of these appeals are motivated by the lack of receipt of the fine at the domicile, meaning that for many people who appeal the fine in the enforcement phase, it is the FIRST NOTICE of its existence.

It is a fact that infractions must have consequences and that if the rules are not followed, fines must be faced, but it is also the administration's duty to NOTIFY and RESOLVE within reasonable timeframes without causing more harm than necessary to the public.

"The current situation of some municipal services is unsustainable, including the one in charge of appeals in the enforcement phase, and if decisions are not made regarding this, it can only get worse", said the Ombudswoman at the last Complaints and Suggestions Commission, with both the governing team and the opposition present. We hope the solution is not to "shoot the messenger".