Parking revenues expected to rise; red-light camera contract to be reviewed in September

Commissioner Livingston presented the parking department’s FY2025–26 budget to the Common Council on April 22, reporting that proposed revenues were up roughly $2 million from the prior year and attributing most of the increase to higher meter fees, increased parking fines and a one‑year bump in permit revenue.

Livingston said permit demand rose this year in part because a county garage closure pushed drivers into municipal garages; he cautioned that the permit increase may be a one‑year anomaly. He said parking meter fee increases instituted in January 2024 and the off‑street meter fee increases have driven revenue growth while also improving compliance and hourly parking turnover.

Red‑light cameras and contract review Livingston said red‑light camera fine revenue is down approximately $100,000 from projections and that fewer violations is a positive safety outcome. She told the council the red‑light camera program’s five‑year contract will come up in September, giving the city an opportunity to review performance and consider relocating cameras to higher‑priority intersections. “We’re gonna have an opportunity to take a look at the whole system and possibly being able to move some of the red light cameras around,” she said.

Stop‑arm cameras, permit technology and limits The department is budgeting miscellaneous revenue tied partly to a planned stop‑arm camera rollout for school buses; Livingston said the system could be in place by September and that the city had discussed roughly 72–76 buses in earlier planning. She also said the department is near completion of permit‑by‑plate implementation (about 99% complete) and plans to move toward pay‑by‑plate, which the department hopes will create administrative efficiencies and reduce payment errors at parking machines.

Council comments Council President Presser asked whether there is a cap on red‑light cameras; Livingston said the city has an 18‑camera cap and that the city will need to “move the furniture around” within that limit if it chooses to redeploy devices. Councilman Martin asked whether major permit buyers (for example, hospitals or large employers) would cause future volume drops; Livingston said not for 2025–26. Another councilmember urged the city to negotiate a lower contractor percentage in the next red‑light vendor agreement.

Ending: The council heard the parking presentation as part of the budget informational meeting and asked for follow‑up details about the stop‑arm rollout schedule and any contractual negotiations ahead of the fall contract review.