SALT LAKE CITY -- The Salt Lake City Council approved the city budget Tuesday evening, which includes a paid parking hike that would not only increase meter costs, but extend the hours they are enforced.
Hourly metered parking will go up from $1.50 an hour to $2. Paid parking hours will also be extended, starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 8 p.m. While there is still free two-hour parking on Saturdays and all-day free parking on Sundays downtown, there will no longer be free holiday parking.
“In most cities that you go to today, their parking charges are a bit higher and we've just implemented these pay stations, which make it a lot more easy and convenient for people to come downtown,” said Mayor Ralph Becker.
The mayor says the city will not be raising property taxes, but is optimistic revenue will be generated from increasing metered parking. He says the money will go to maintain the city, including its parks.
