Op/Ed: "Keep Paid Parking"

Paid Parking Is A User Fee

There are many people in this community that want to see more positive changes made. Those include bike paths, road repair or replacement, more public art, a BMX track, improvements at the Skate Park and other recreational areas. They want more events at Lakeview Commons, like the summer concert series, which the City helps support for the locals and visitors alike. They like the upgrades around Harrison Avenue and free parking lot being built next to the Tribune building. All of these pull millions from the City’s General Fund.

The Paid Parking program is a user fee. If you don’t want to park close to Lakeview Commons or Lakeside Beach, then you do not have to do so. Take the bus, the trolley, park a little further away, ride your bike, carpool and share the cost, or go to Regan Beach, which is free. The locals have already mastered these techniques with the Forest Service beaches and private paid parking around town. We offer a local’s pass for forty dollars a year; consider that option to cut down the cost.

Keep Paid Parking and the City will have revenue to help maintain Lakeview Commons, Regan Beach, and pave Lakeside Beach. We can move towards more bike paths, bike path maintenance, and road repair near these areas. Perhaps we can continue to subsidize events like the Live at Lakeview summer concert series and add some public art. This program does bring in revenue to the City, which is shown in the user friendly budget you can see on our website at www.cityofslt.us . Our budget is privately audited and verified.

We have made several adjustments to the program in response to public requests, and there may be more yet to come. Give us time to work on this program and realize more revenue. Please vote NO on P to keep our town moving forward.