Detroit could toughen parking fines, enforcement

3/18/2014

DETROIT — Restructuring consultants have recommended that Detroit increase its parking fines for the first time since 2001 and crack down harder on people who don’t pay to boost revenue for the bankrupt city.

The recommendations would change the current parking fines of $20, $30 and $100 per ticket to a two-tiered structure of $45 and $150, The Detroit News reported.

The revenue-generating proposal comes as state-appointed emergency manager Kevyn Orr awaits an analysis of the city’s parking assets and contemplates spinning off the parking department. Detroit Chief Operating Officer Gary Brown is advocating for the changes, which he says would bring in an additional $6 million per year.

“That’s real money,” Brown said. “If the asset is truly an asset and making money, no one is going to want to do anything with it.”

According to Brown, 70 percent of the fines are to non-Detroit residents. He said the city also expects to offer a one-time amnesty program in conjunction with any increase.

The city currently pays $32 to issue and process a $30 parking violation, the newspaper reported. As part of the issue, Orr spokesman Bill Nowling says about half of Detroit’s roughly 3,400 parking meters don’t operate properly at any given time.

“It’s another example of the old, antiquated system and processes the city has that creates impediments for anyone trying to do their job,” Nowling said.