The Iowa Department of Transportation has ruled that the automated traffic cameras in Webster City, such as these on Iowa Highway 17 at Millards Lane, can no longer be used because they are "not necessary."

Webster City’s four fixed traffic cameras can no longer be used because they are “not necessary,” according to an Iowa Department of Transportation ruling.

The DOT announced its decision on Monday.

Webster City has 30 days to appeal.

In reality, those cameras have been turned off since May when a new law appeared likely to be eventually signed by the governor.

Tthe new law went into effect in July.

That law regulating traffic cameras in Iowa required local governments with automated traffic enforcement systems to apply for a permit from the DOT to continue operating those systems. Cities and counties were charged with proving to the state that their traffic cameras that automatically issue speeding tickets were appropriate, necessary and the least restrictive way to address traffic safety at those locations.

Webster City did not convince the DOT.

Therefore, its cameras on east- and westbound U.S. 20 at mile marker 141, and its north- and southbound cameras on Briggs Woods Road — or Iowa Highway 17 — at Millards Lane will remain off for now.

Webster City’s cameras went live in November 2023 and quickly churned out revenue. In fewer than six months the city put $555,887 into its general fund, earmarking the money for public service use. That appeared to be in line with the new law, which restricted the use of money generated by the ticketing to be used for transportation infrastructure, and police and fire department operating costs.

Sensys Gatso Group’s take during that same time period was more than $250,000. Gatso is the firm that operated the cameras in Webster City.

Overall, according to the DOT, of the 348 location applications received, 154 locations were approved and 194 were denied.

Only 11 of the 139 fixed cameras were approved for continued use.

“If an existing automated traffic enforcement location was denied the equipment must be turned off on October 1,” the DOT states in its ruling. “If a jurisdiction disagrees with the DOT’s decision, they may appeal by submitting a written explanation of the issues and include any supporting information to the Iowa DOT director. The director has 30 days to respond once the appeal is received. The director’s decision is the final agency action.”

The Daily Freeman-Journal contacted the city, but did not get a response by press time.

According to the DOT, “the Automated Traffic Enforcement law states that the DOT may approve or deny a permit application based on our determination ‘that a system is appropriate and necessary and the least restrictive means to address the critical traffic safety issues at a location.’ The law defines critical traffic safety issues as including two things:

1. “Traffic violations resulting in a traffic collision or accident;

2. “Traffic collisions and accidents resulting in serious injury or death.

“Locations not already using a system prior to January 1, 2024, are currently being reviewed by the DOT and will not be issued a permit before July 1, 2026.”

The DOT approved use of automated traffic enforcement systems by these communities:

. Cedar Rapids (fixed and mobile)

. Davenport (fixed and mobile)

. Des Moines (fixed and mobile)

. Fort Dodge (mobile — all approved)

. Le Claire (fixed)

. Marion (mobile allowed, fixed denied)

. Marshalltown (fixed)

. Muscatine (mobile allowed, fixed denied)

. Sioux City (mobile)

. Waterloo (mobile allowed, fixed denied)

The DOT denied use of automated traffic enforcement systems by these communities:

. Buffalo

. Charles City

. Chester

. Fayette

. Fredericksburg

. Hazleton

. Hudson

. Independence

. La Porte City

. Lee County

. Maynard

. Oelwein

. Postville

. Prairie City

. Strawberry Point

. Tama

. Webster City

. West Union