The Smith County Commissioners Court discussed an agreement with NETRMA on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. (Cory McCoy/Staff)

Smith County is putting on hold a controversial program to help NETRMA collect toll fees.

The Smith County Commissioners Court made the decision to postpone implementation of a program that would prevent drivers from registering their vehicles if they had been deemed “habitual violators” by NETRMA, which operates Toll 49. Last year the organization defined habitual violators as motorists who had accrued 100 or more unpaid toll bills.

Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran said he was not comfortable with notification to both drivers and the county, and wanted the program paused before any potential violators were prevented from registering their vehicle.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Terry Phillips went a step further and suggested a future item be placed on the agenda to vote whether to remain in the agreement. He said that after listening to constituents since the initial vote, he has had a change of heart.

“I would say I made a mistake when I voted for this and I never should have,” Phillips said. “I would like to bring it back and put it up for another vote.”

Ultimately, if the program is reinstated, Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber would have the final discretion in determining if a habitual violator had been intentionally avoiding paying toll fees.