City clerk defends stickerless parking permits as council presses for enforcement cost breakdown

Janet Cintron White, the city clerk, told the Chelsea City Council on the third night of budget hearings that the clerk's office budget is level-funded and highlighted cost savings from the switch to a stickerless residential parking-permit system.

White said the office also supported an active voter-outreach program: "The stickers we've issued to date fit a little over 15,000," she said, and reported online permit uptake has risen from about 36% last year to roughly 47% this year. She said the clerk's office staffed voter drives at major Chelsea events, a private candidate forum at Chelsea High School and housing summer events, and plans to expand outreach into city-hall events and festivals.

Councilors focused far more attention on parking enforcement costs. Councilor Taylor asked pointedly, "Why is there an additional $9,090,000?" The city manager and staff said the increase on the "other services" line is contractual and largely driven by a local living-wage ordinance for enforcement officers and annual wage-certification adjustments. The administration identified SP Plus as the current vendor. City Manager said staff would "get a full breakdown" and promised to report back to the council with a detailed accounting.

Councilors also raised accessibility and customer-service concerns. Councilor Teneri Garcia asked how the city helps residents who cannot come to City Hall or are not tech-savvy apply for handicap placards; White said the application is fillable online in English and Spanish, forms can be mailed on request, fax remains available, and staff will assist applicants in person.

On technology used by enforcement vehicles, Councilor Recupero asked whether license-plate readers check vehicle registration; the city manager said the readers only check whether a plate has an active parking permit, not broader registration data. Staff also described the appeals process for tickets and said visitor passes can be purchased in advance.

The clerk's presentation covered expected election administration needs, including a recently filled elections-administrator vacancy and a small contractual increase tied to data processing for the census. White said feeding and other one-time poll-worker expenses were covered in this year's budget and appeared well received by poll staff.

The council did not vote on the clerk budget; the council will consider the full FY28 budget at its June 8 meeting.