The town of Jerome voted to update the parking fees in town to a flat, daily rate.
The council passed a resolution amending Ordinance 456 at its June 8 council meeting, changing the fees at the parking kiosks located around town effective July 1.
Currently, it costs $3 for up to four hours and $5 for the entire day to park on many Jerome streets. The council voted to amend this “pay to park” fee to a flat rate of $4 per day.
“I think it’s a great move,” Mayor Jack Dillenberg said.
The council also discussed the idea of allowing Jerome residents and employees of local businesses to purchase a prepaid discounted parking pass of $3 per day.
While Dillenberg was supportive of the move, the council members in attendance were not.
“We have talked about this, and talked about this, and talked about this, and every time we say ‘no,’ and then it seems like we all just kind of got sideswiped,” Councilwoman Alex Barber said.
The way a discounted pass would work if passed is any resident or employee who wanted to take advantage of the new discount could purchase a 10-day pass for $30 at either the Jerome Town Hall or Jerome Police Station. Proof of residency or employment would be required to qualify for the pass.
“I also think that this is going to put so much more paperwork on whoever decides to do this on how to fill these out,” Barber said.
Several council members also expressed concern that the move would negatively impact the revenue the town receives from parking fees.
Dillenberg said he spoke with Police Chief Allen Muma regarding the matter, who did not believe that the change would significantly impact revenue. In fact, he believes it would actually increase profits.
“The numbers would increase significantly in our revenue … because employees would come to town and park, and it’s only $1, so the negative impact is minimal,” Dillenberg said. “Chief Muma really felt very confident that this would not reduce our income.”
However, councilwoman Sage Harvey felt this would not be the case as the majority of tourists will pay for a day pass but will only stay a few hours, and the town makes money on parking turnover. And if employees park in those spots for an entire day at a discounted rate, that revenue would disappear.
“It’s not just $1. People come and go and they’re here for a couple hours. That car changes three probably times a day at least, so we are talking about $12 as opposed to $3,” she said. “I don’t know how many employees are going to use it, but I just don’t think that you can say that you’re going to get more revenue from it when you think about the turnover of tourists.”
Regardless of whether the resolution would increase or decrease the town’s revenue, Dillenberg stressed that the move would send a message to employers in town that they support their businesses.
“Tourists are going to come. They’re going to park. If you’re going to be in town, you’ve got to park somewhere,” he said. “This will help the employees of businesses. I think it would be a very positive sign to show our support for the businesses here. We do a lot for the tourists, and the tourists are going to come and be here, period.”
Councilwoman Jane Moore said employees and residents who purchase a pass may still find themselves unable to find a parking spot, and expressed concern that they would be upset that they prepaid for parking when there aren’t any spaces available.
Moore said she would rather see the town set up designated employee parking somewhere in town or provide a shuttle service.
“It’s not that we don’t support the businesses or their employees at all. I don’t see it that way. I just see it being another headache,” she said.
Discussion of the resolution allowing discounted parking rates was tabled indefinitely.
