Hoping to generate revenue during a city budget crisis, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has pitched his idea to boost by 50 the number of parking enforcement officers across the city.
Last year, city officials said they raised $9 million with 100 part time parking enforcement officers. Under the Mayor’s plan, the city hopes to raise $4 million with 50 part-time hires next year.
It is the second such push by the mayor in recent weeks to try and generate more revenue as the city faces up to a $240 million budget deficit.
Villaraigosa recently called for a $10 hike in parking fines.
The proposed increase means street-sweeping fines could reach $78, nearly twice any other city in Los Angeles County and $63 for an expired meter.
The change would bring in about $40 million a year, according to the mayor's budget.
But that could cause problems for people living in some high-density, apartment-heavy Los Angeles neighborhoods.
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Many less-wealthy drivers may feel the pinch in a bigger way, according to Larry Gross of the "Coalition for Economic survival" if the council approves the hike.
The mayor's budget is now awaiting approval from the Los Angeles City Council.
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