Sioux Falls council committee approves plan to raise parking fines, approve phased permit increases and continue planning for paid parking pilot

The City of Sioux Falls Committee of the Whole on June 16 directed staff to increase citywide parking citations and to implement a phased increase to monthly downtown parking permits while continuing to collect occupancy data and advance planning for a paid-parking system.

Marcy Breyer, parking supervisor for the City of Sioux Falls, told the committee that the city is proposing to increase the base parking citation from $10 to $25 effective Jan. 1, 2026, and to raise citywide monthly parking permits from $35 to $50 on Jan. 1, 2026, then to $70 on Jan. 1, 2027 (staff also noted the option to move the permit increase directly to $70 on Jan. 1, 2026). Breyer said the city currently averages about 9,157 citations per year and collects roughly 75% of fines; at the higher citation level the city’s projected annual citation revenue (after the 75% collection assumption) would increase substantially. Breyer also described current booting (vehicle immobilization) practice: a vehicle becomes eligible for immobilization when past-due citations total $60 or more and are at least 30 days old, with a $50 immobilization fee and tow/impound fees added by tow vendors if applicable.

The motion approved by the committee directs staff to update ordinances and fee schedules and return with the implementing ordinance and fee language. Councilor Hannah Chrisman moved the motion; a second was recorded but not named on the public audio. The committee carried the motion by voice vote after brief discussion and no recorded roll-call tally. The committee did not take a separate vote tonight to adopt a paid-parking system; staff said that would return later for council…