Increased Parking Fines Help Balance Budget

Revenue from parking meters and tickets is expected to jump by more than $1.5  million over the next two years in the wake of increased rates and fees approved by the city council.

The council green-lighted the increases as part of its strategy to stave off layoffs and cuts in services as the city faced at $6 million budget deficit.

With the increases the city expects to take in more than $8 million annually in parking fees and fines.

"We didn't cut programs and found other ways to find the revenue," said David Hatcher, revenue manager for West Hollywood.  

All 2,500 parking meters within city limits will now cost $1 an hour, an increase of 25 cents. Tickets for expired meters now run $47, a $7 jump. In 2011 they will bump up to $50, equal to an expired meter ticket in Los Angeles.

The fees and fines will be the same for both street meters and those in parking lots and city parking structures, according to Tamara White, public information officer for the city of West Hollywood.

Meters on Sunset Boulevard are enforced from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday. All other meters are enforced from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

In addition to the increases in parking fees and rates the city trimmed spending on public safety, city contracts, special events spending, discretionary spending and capital improvement projects.