Modesto considers big increases to parking tickets, and a new strategy
Drivers could pay a lot more if they get a parking ticket in Modesto, starting next month.
For instance, the cost of the most common ticket — parking beyond the posted time limits on city streets — would increase from $33 to $52.
Modesto officials say the proposed increases are based on a comparison of what several other cities charge for parking violations and reflect the need to pay for a better parking strategy and management, especially in downtown.
The City Council on Tuesday will consider the ticket increases, which would take effect March 4 if the council approves them, according to a city report. Council members also will consider transferring parking enforcement from the Police Department to the Public Works Department.
Officials say that would allow more focus on parking and that focus — including enforcement — and the higher tickets are expected to bring in $965,350 in the city’s 2020-21 budget year, which starts July 1, compared with an expected $649,000 in the current budget year.
The city projects expenses would increase from $617,559 in the current budget to $789,626 in the next budget.
The proposed increases are steep. Two examples: The ticket for parking in a fire lane would increase from $43 to $90, and the ticket for parking by a fire hydrant would increase from $43 to $80.
But Modesto officials say the increases are based on a survey of seven comparable cities, including Fresno, Stockton and Sacramento. And based on a city document, the proposed increases appear to be in line with the average fines among the other cities.
The city report states Modesto has “not completed a comprehensive review or implemented increases to all parking violation fines since 2005.”
$12.50 state surcharge
However, the city has increased parking tickets in recent years to reflect increases in a state surcharge included in the tickets. The state imposed a $5 surcharge in 1991 and increased it to $9.50 in 2009 and then $12.50 in 2010. The surcharge goes into funds for courts and criminal justice facilities.
Deputy City Manager Scotty Douglass said in an interview that moving parking enforcement to Public Works is part of a larger strategy to improve parking, especially in downtown.
Parking along downtown streets can be hard to find because downtown workers park along streets because it is free, as long as they move and re-park their cars on streets with posted time limits. The city’s three downtown garages cost $1.25 per hour.
Douglass said Modesto is working on a parking master plan, which it expects to bring out as soon as this summer.
The plan could include such measures as offering free or discounted parking in city garages to free up parking along streets and other incentives as well as paid street parking. This effort comes as the city works on a master plan for downtown.
The council meets at 5:30 p.m. in the basement chambers of the Tenth Street Place, 1010 10th St.
This story was originally published February 3, 2020 at 7:38 PM.
