Carmel committee backs LPR parking enforcement and raises disabled-spot fine to $150

The Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee on May 20 advanced Ordinance D28 (2026), clearing the way for expanded license-plate-reader (LPR) parking enforcement, an online payment agent, and higher fines for certain violations.

Sergeant Zach Casey of the Carmel Police Department outlined an 18-month process that led the department to recommend an LPR system. "It essentially mounts onto a pre-existing vehicle" and uses multiple cameras and GPS coordinates to start and track timers for timed parking spaces, Casey said, describing both vehicle-mounted and handheld LPR units the department plans to deploy.

Benjamin Legg of the Office of Corporation Counsel explained the legal changes the ordinance would make to the City Code. He told the committee that parking tickets now go through the Ordinance Violation Bureau, an administrative process, and that the ordinance must be amended to allow the city clerk to designate an agent (for example, Passport) to collect payments. "There needs to be an amendment to the ordinance by the city council to give the ordinance violation clerk the ability to be able to have an agent," Legg said, adding that without that change fees would need to be processed through the clerk’s office.

Casey said tickets would include a QR code and a link to Passport's payment portal; Passport would collect payments and remit monthly to the city after deducting service fees. "A dollar per ticket is what Passport charges," he said, adding that final contracting details and exact fee arrangements would be worked out in the vendor agreement.

Councilors pressed city staff on evidence, appeals and data control. Legg said LPR-produced timestamps create a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard in administrative proceedings, and defendants could present counter-evidence in appeals. On data, Casey deferred to counsel; Legg said Passport will host data in its database but that the city has included data-protection language in the contract and is comfortable with the provisions as written.

The committee also discussed residential- and merchant-permit processes. Casey described an online flow where residents upload registration photos to verify eligibility and business account holders manage employee plates for merchant-parking permits, which staff said should streamline permit issuing and visitor passes.

Councilor Menard moved to amend the ordinance to make a first-time disabled/handicap parking violation a notice-to-appear with a minimum fine of $150; after discussion and a second, the committee approved the amendment and voted to send the amended ordinance to the full council with a positive recommendation. The committee vote passed unanimously.

The ordinance as amended expands who may issue parking enforcement citations (adding non-sworn parking enforcement officers), authorizes mailing tickets and agent collection of fees, and increases certain fines. Officials said the program's procurement term was set for three years with the ability to renew and that the vendor will assist with implementation, training and education.

What happens next: the committee sent the amended Ordinance D28 to the full Carmel City Council with a positive recommendation; contract and implementation details (including final Passport terms and exact remittance schedules) will be finalized before the enforcement system goes live.