HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-31-20 Public Comment - K. Francisco - MSU_BHS Residential Parking Permit Districts - funding and proposed permit fee increaseFrom:Kathy and John
To:Agenda
Subject:MSU/BHS Residential Parking Permit Districts - funding and proposed permit fee increase
Date:Friday, July 31, 2020 10:55:38 PM
Greetings, Bozeman City Commissioners -
As a resident of the University Neighborhood Association I am concerned about the proposed
increase in permit fees for the MSU/BHS Residential Parking Districts (RPPD). The proposedincrease from $30 to $35 does not take into consideration the intent of Ordinance 1345/1376.
City Commission minutes from 11/15/1993 state that RPPDs need to pay for themselves
without any taxpayer dollars. The minutes also state that parking permit fees and fines areto be set so they generate sufficient revenues to cover expenses of the program.
Ron Brey, former Bozeman Assistant City Manager, was the city staff person who
worked with residents around MSU who wanted to set up a parking district.
Mr. Brey did the research and brought forward an Ordinance to the City Commission
which was approved. Mr. Brey states in his letter of 7/14/20 to the current City
Commission, using fees alone as the sole source of revenue for the RPPD program
to cover costs is ABSOLUTELY WRONG. Mr. Brey explains that permit fees are tobe established (annually) by resolution as listed in the RPPD Ordinance. Fines are
not included in the annual adjustment statement because fines are supposed to be
set as needed in order to match parking violation fines assessed by MSU and/or to
make adjustments based on enforcement issues.
Using permit fees AND FINES as intended actually create a surplus at the current$30/permit fee.
The MSU/BHS RPPDs ARE sustainable - right now!
At Parking Commission meetings 7/9/2020 and in minutes from 6/13/19, Parking ProgramManager Ed Meece stated that:
FY 2020 & expected 2021 2,082 permits sold = $ 61,093 (at $30/permit)
FY 2019 issued citations approx. = $100,000 *________________
Est revenue using fees and fines $161,093
FY2021 Budget Expenses MSU/BHS RPPDs ($115,471)
Net Surplus approx. $ 45,000
NOTE: *FY2020 Parking fines may be less due to COVID-19 shutdown in spring, but adecrease of $45,000 is most unlikely.
I ask that you, as the Bozeman City Commision:
1) not increase the parking permit fee to $35; instead, use surplus to decrease fees to $20 or
$25; and
2) direct Parking Services to follow the RPPD Ordinance and its intent. Use both parking
permits and fines from MSU/BHS RPPSs as revenue to balance the cost of operating theseRPPDs. The fines were intended to help cover costs of the RPPDs - not go into the general
fund.
Thank you for your service.
Best,
Kathy Francisco