City council voted against further hikes to downtown parking rates during budget deliberations, despite city staff’s recommendation to raise metered parking to $3 per hour across the board.
Roughly 40 per cent of metered parking spaces downtown are currently set at 3$ per hour, with others set at $1.75 per hour.
Staff made the recommendation to increase parking turnover in metered spaces, bring in additional parking revenue to the city, and create consistency amongst all downtown metered parking spaces.
The plan, had it been approved, would have brought in an additional $45,000 per year to assist with maintaining parking lots and purchasing land for new lots.
Coun. Jay Fallis, however, said he was “staunchly” against the idea of increasing parking rates – which the city already did earlier this year.
“I've heard a lot of concerns already about the rates downtown. I think adding further hikes to what we have already got in place will lead to many more complaints,” Fallis said. “I recognize parking rates are part of life and part of the city, but I think at the same time you have to kind of find that balance between what generates revenue (and) what's affordable for people, what encourages people to come as well.”
“Well, a staunch vote still only counts for one,” quipped Mayor Don McIsaac in response.
Coun. David Campbell mentioned that the differing rates for metered parking are meant to encourage turnover in high-demand areas, while also encouraging people to park in areas with lower demand.
“The idea to have varying charges depending on the area was just to spread out where people are parking. It also encourages people, if they want to save a bit of money, to park in a different area and then experience the downtown,” he said.
“I think the logic behind it – it was researched pretty extensively by the (DOMB) board chair, Michael Fredson, and there's certainly science and data behind it, so I support just leaving this alone" and not hiking the rates, said Campbell.
“I can support this, and I think we should go forward with it, but if we throw it out, then where do we get the 45 grand?” questioned the mayor.
Council unanimously voted against the hike for metered parking spaces, but did approve $5 rate hikes for monthly parking permits.
On Jan. 1, rates for municipal lots 3, 6, and 14 will climb to $60 per month; rates for lots 1, 7, and 15 will climb to $75 per month; and lot 11 will remain at $60 per month.
In the draft budget package, city staff said increasing the permit rates will bring in an additional $50,000 of revenue, which will assist with maintaining parking lots and purchasing land for additional lots
Decisions made during the 2024 budget deliberations are subject to ratification on Dec. 11, 2023.
Watch OrilliaMatters throughout the day for more budget coverage.
