Jackson City Council approves move from assessments to pay-to-park for downtown

Jackson City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to replace the assessment-funded, meterless parking system in the downtown central commercial district with a pay-to-park system that charges short-term users at street pay stations and preserves permit options for long-term parkers.

Council and staff said the change aims to address a funding shortfall for maintenance and to create more predictable revenue for lot and curb upkeep.

Troy, an engineering staff member who presented the plan, told council the proposal shifts part of the cost burden from property assessments to the people parking on the street: “what you got before you is a, proposal to change the way we fund the, downtown parking system. You know, for years, it's been funded with assessments.” He said the recommendation also updates monthly permit rates, which have not been changed since 2018.

Staff said the initial installation cost is roughly $466,710 and that the full program would operate at about $600,000 per year when permits, hourly payments and enforcement are included. By comparison, the most recent assessments approved for downtown totaled about $147,000.

Council discussed practical details: a $2-per-hour base electronic rate with a one-hour minimum for card/phone transactions, a coin option for shorter stays, Monday–Saturday enforcement, and two permit zones (a downtown core and a lower-cost lot zone). Troy said the minimum electronic transaction is one hour because of card transaction fees: “The problem we got with, with the electronic transaction is there are those transaction fees. So, you know, if you start trying to do a, a pay by card for 15 minutes, you're losing money.”

Council members asked about likely effects on downtown businesses, whether the system will reduce long-term street parking and increase turnover, and how disabled parking would be handled. Troy said staff expects the system to be more transparent and easier to administer: “If you paid for your space, then you wouldn't get a ticket.” On handicap spaces he said on-street handicap spots would remain designated but staff recommended charging for on-street handicap parking while preserving off-street handicap options for long-term users to keep curb space available for short-term needs.

Several council members emphasized the city’s limited alternatives. Council member Wood said the current assessment model “is not funding the system,” and council members discussed the trade-off between higher assessments and pay-to-park revenue.

After extended discussion, the council approved the ordinance replacing the assessment-funded meterless parking with a pay-to-park system. The clerk displayed a unanimous vote.

Council members and staff said they expect to monitor the new system, adjust rates or rules as needed, and provide public training and outreach when the system is implemented.