City of Zillah Municipal Court establishes amnesty program to resolve delinquent payments and provide customers relief

Beginning February 1 through March 31, the City of Zillah’s new amnesty program will focus on clearing delinquent court accounts and providing relief to customers in collections.

 ZILLAH, WA – The City of Zillah Municipal Court partnered with Yakima County District Court to implement a new program to clear delinquent accounts and provide relief to people with unpaid fines. The court and associated collection agencies will waive all interest and penalties, as well as a significant portion of collection fees, if customer balances are paid in full by February 28, 2023. The City of Zillah has 1,173 cases in collections representing $582,312 in revenue.

"Our goal is to assist the residents of our community and surrounding areas in the lower Yakima Valley who have citations and court fines in collections," said City Administrator Michael Grayum. "We are empathetic toward the compounding circumstances of others, and we have a fiduciary obligation to collect on unpaid accounts. This program is a win-win for everyone, including the taxpayers."

Zillah’s amnesty program will help court customers with outstanding traffic tickets, criminal fines, and probation fees currently in collections. People can avoid future collection fees, driver’s license suspensions, and legal actions, such as wage garnishments or property liens, by participating in this program, which ends February 28, 2023. Participation may also eliminate barriers to obtaining or having a driver's license reinstated. Accounts currently in bankruptcy or garnishment do not qualify for the Amnesty Program.

"We appreciate the leadership of Judge Murphy, who initiated this amnesty program for us and any other jurisdiction in Yakima valley who chose to participate," said Michael Grayum. "We are fortunate to have someone with her dedication, innovation, and compassion serving as our Municipal Court Judge.”

Therese Murphy serves as the City of Zillah Municipal Court's Judge and the Yakima County District Court Administrator. 

For more information, contact the Zillah Municipal Court at 509.829.3543 and the following collection agencies:

• YCCS: 509-248-1610 or 1-800-841-5873
• Alliance One:1 866-897-5349
• Evergreen Financial Services INC: 509-452-6574.
  
  

About the City of Zillah
Founded in 1892, the City of Zillah is home to award-winning community events and more than twenty wineries in the Rattlesnake Hills American Viticultural Area, which produce world-class grapes, hand-crafted tasting experiences, and some of Washington's finest wines. Zillah is also home to Yakima Chief Hops, a research facility connecting family hop farms with the world's finest brewers across the globe. More information is available on our website and Facebook. 

 www.cityofzillah.us