During the December 3 City Commission meeting, Mike Howard, an accountant with Clifton Larsen Allen, informed elected officials that several of Treasure Island’s parking fines must be reduced to comply with changes in state statutes.

Earlier budget discussions highlighted that parking revenue is one of the city’s largest income sources after ad valorem taxes.

Howard explained that the city has begun refurbishing its parking lots, a process accelerated by recent hurricanes. “Currently, we are not issuing any parking fines,” Howard noted, adding that all Flowbird parking meters are being removed at no cost to the city. “The storms are just helping things along. We’re transitioning to two payment applications: ParkMobile and Flowbird’s text-to-park service, which incurs no additional cost to the city.”

“Flowbird is in the process of creating new signs for this updated payment method. We will begin charging as soon as possible,” Howard told the commissioners.

He also clarified that most fines have been reduced in accordance with state statute changes. “We’re following the rules on that,” he said. Despite the reductions, the primary revenue-generating parking violation remains unaffected, so the city’s revenue should not experience a significant impact.

Under the revised fine schedule, the penalty for overtime parking remains at $60, with each two-hour interval considered a separate violation. The fine for parking at a closed lot remains $80, parking in a permit area without a permit stays at $90, and boat trailer-only parking fines are unchanged at $60.

However, fines for violations such as improper parking, parking on the sidewalk, or parking in a fire zone have been reduced from $80 to $30. The fine for parking with left wheels to the curb, in a no-parking zone, or leaving keys in the ignition drops from $60 to $30. Commercial vehicle restriction fines have also been lowered from $250 to $100.

Starting January 1, the city will implement license plate readers. Because Florida vehicles only display license plates on the rear, the revised parking ordinance will prohibit back-in parking. It will also make it unlawful to park any vehicle in a manner that blocks access to a mailbox.

Commissioner Arden Dickey expressed concerns about reducing fines for significant parking violations. “Reducing the fine for blocking driveways, parking on sidewalks, and in fire zones from $80 to $30 is concerning,” he said. Dickey questioned the staff about state limitations on non-moving violation fees and stressed the need for stronger deterrents for illegal parking.

Police Chief John Barkley suggested towing as a solution. “We can tow vehicles blocking sidewalks since it becomes a public hazard. If they risk a $30 ticket, it will cost much more to retrieve their car from impound.”

Commissioner Deborah Toth acknowledged Barkley’s comments as addressing many residents’ concerns.

Mayor John Doctor inquired if an analysis had been done to determine any financial impact from the reduced fines. Howard said he could investigate further.

The commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the changes to the city’s parking regulations on the first reading, with a second hearing scheduled later this month.

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(Image credit: WFLA)