Park Norwalk reports small revenue shortfall in September; 15-minute digital pilot logs ~90 transactions

Rocky, Park Norwalk finance staff, presented the September financial statement and usage metrics. For the month, Rocky said total parking revenue missed budget by about 4.3%, driven by lower transient and violation revenue in the Sono (Maritime Garage, Wapsalot, and Haviland Deck). He reported Park Norwalk’s total expenses were below budget by about 11.2% for the month, producing a positive movement in the month’s fund balance that staff summarized as “13.9% over budget in the fund balance.”

For the first quarter, Rocky said the authority missed budgeted revenue by about 4.9% but saw larger expense savings (noted as about 16.6%), leaving the fund balance ahead of plan; staff reported the authority had reached about 56% of its full-year budgeted fund balance within the first three months.

Rocky also updated the authority on a short-term parking pilot: a digital 15-minute option rolled out on four streets (River Street, Washington Street, Mott Avenue and High Street) recorded about 90 transactions in the pilot month. Authority members said convenience of a phone option should increase short-term compliance and that signage kinks remain to be resolved.

Staff said some variance items reflect timing: equipment and parking program invoices from newly contracted vendors (Veranda) have not fully posted, and some budgeted expenses remain pending invoicing.

Commissioners discussed whether the monthly package should be streamlined to highlight the most important metrics more frequently and present other detail quarterly; staff welcomed feedback to make reporting more efficient.