Parking to get more expensive in Dewey

Dewey commissioners are considering a roughly 25 percent hike in parking fees to generate $200,000 in revenue.

At the monthly commissioners’ meeting Jan. 11, Town Manager Scott Koenig said revenue from seasonal and daily parking permits and parking meters generated just over $1 million in the 2020 fiscal year, up from $868,000 in 2019. 

“The revenue was higher than anticipated,” Koenig said. “We had a very active parking year; it’s by far our most important revenue stream.”

To capitalize on a strong revenue source, Koenig proposed raising seasonal permits to $250, property-owner seasonal permits to $187.50 and weekly permits to $68.75. 

Prices for one-day permits on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday would be $12.50; Thursday-Sunday daily permits would be $18.75. Weekend permits would go up to $43.75, and meter rates would be set at $2.50 an hour.

Parking would remain free in all permit and meter spots from 5 to 11 p.m., Monday through Wednesday.

Mayor TJ Redefer said he supports raising seasonal permit fees, but not drastically, for property owners, many of whom, he said, buy a parking permit they never use simply as a way of contributing to the town. Redefer said he wanted public input before making any changes.

“I want the public to be aware we are looking at it and will discuss it at a future meeting,” he said.

Commissioner Dale Cooke suggested rounding fees to even numbers. He proposed seasonal permits at $225 and $175 for property owners. 

“I don’t like raising the permit price for property owners,” Cooke said. “Visitors should be the ones paying first, then property owners and businesses.”

A motion by Commissioner David Moskowitz to amend fees slightly different than Koenig’s proposal failed. Moskowitz agreed that visitors should pay more; he suggested a discount for people who work in Dewey as well as for property owners.

Commissioner Gary Persinger agreed the focus should be on visitors; he said some business owners may pay for their employees’ parking fees.

“I would like to give people the opportunity to tell us what they think is fair,” Persinger said. “I would like to know when was the last time we changed rates, if ever, in the last 10 years. I would like more information and possibly vote next month.”