Parking rates to increase in Jefferson City after council vote

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Council on Monday night voted to increase the city parking rates for the first time in almost 20 years.

Council members said that the city has fallen behind as far as being comparable to other cities when it comes to parking and say that this is the right time to increase. Ward 3 Councilman Scott Spencer said the price increase is only the starting point and will increase periodically from there.

"The parking division runs completely self-sustaining through our own fees and fines. There is no (money coming from the) general revenue that goes to support the operations of the parking division. So all maintenance, capital expenses and employee salaries are paid through the revenues generated by the parking fund," Jefferson City Public Works Operations Director Britt Smith said.

Metered parking in Jefferson City ranges from 25 cents per hour to $1 an hour. Increases in metered parking could increase 10-25 cents per hour, depending on the meter, according to Smith.

According to Smith, those who pay monthly fees to park in parking garages could see around $25 more in February.

Currently, the municipal parking garage at 200 Madison Street has a monthly covered parking permit that costs $70, while an uncovered parking permit is $40. The Jefferson Street parking garage at 200 Jefferson Street has monthly covered permit parking available for $80 and uncovered permit parking for $70.