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Nov 23, 2023

Mayor proposes lowering parking meter rates, raising fines

Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers Town of Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers has

Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers

Town of Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers has proposed lowering the cost of parking meters from $5 to $3 while raising the cost of parking tickets which currently range between $35 and $50.

Allers laid out the proposal at a management and planning session of the council.

"This is probably not going to go over very well," Allers said. "I am hesitant to say it but I think it is something that needs to be said. I have always had an issue with what we charge for parking violations. I am a fan of having a lower per-hour rate but the consequences for not paying it should be higher."

Allers suggested that some people may purposely park their vehicles in violation and collect $35 fines rather than pay $40 to a parking lot though currently lots aren't charging that high. "Simple math tells you I have to park in a lot that is $40 for the day, why wouldn't I just park my car at a town's parking spot and not pay the fee and leave my car there all day and pay $35," Allers said. "I agree," Councilmember Karen Woodson said. "It doesn't seem to make sense," Allers said. During season last year, some lots charged as much as $40 on occasion though it is not the norm. During the offseason, parking lots charge less, especially since Hurricane Ian with parking lots charging $10-$30 with most at $20. The town's parking meter rates are $5 an hour.

"I just wanted to have the discussion to see if there was any will of the council to want to bring that back at a meeting, get staff to put something together and put it on an agenda so the public can speak to it," Allers said. "I was not a fan of the increase from $3 to $5 to park (per hour). We already eliminated the two-hour time period (limit for parking) which I did not agree with also."

Allers suggested going back to the $3 per hour parking rate and redoing the town's signs.

Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt suggested the town have a grace period of five to 10 minutes for parking meter violation offenders if the town could adjust its software for its parking enforcement.

"I want to show a sense of hospitality here as opposed to a sort-of punitive gotcha mindset," Atterholt said. "To me, that's a big piece to the welcoming puzzle."

Allers said the parking app that motorists use to pay the parking meters already notifies people as time gets close to expiring.

The town has software that notifies the town's parking enforcement of whether a vehicle is in a parking spot in which the meter has expired.

Atterholt further suggested that the town issue a $3 rate for residents and a $5 rate for visitors in light of the town's fiscal issues. Allers said the town could extend parking passes for residents.

Councilmember John King said he supported lowering the parking meter rates back to $3 per hour.

Councilmember Bill Veach said lowering the parking meter rate would be a "huge budget buster."

Allers asked town staff to bring back budget numbers and budget impacts of the town changed the meter rates.

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