During the city council meeting held on Tuesday, January 9th, the proposal to raise hourly parking fees and fines was put forward and approved in Nelson.
The hourly parking rate will be increased from $1.25 per hour to $2.00 per hour. Fines for Category 1, 2, and 3 violations will also increase. The city will also be introducing a new system that enables individuals to pay for parking using their mobile devices.
Aimee Mooney, the deputy Chief Financial Officer of the city, explained the reasons behind the proposed increases. One of the key factors is the limited availability of parking spaces in the downtown area.
Currently, Nelson generates over $1 million in annual revenue from parking meters, which is allocated towards funding transportation infrastructure. It is estimated that the increased fees and fines will generate an additional $400,000 in revenue for the city.
These changes align with the Downtown Parking Strategy that received approval in 2021.
