Parking Fees Due for Another Increase

Quarterly and annual parking fees are set to go up again.

The City Council on Tuesday agreed to increase the quarterly permit fee from $55 to $60 and increase the annual fee from $185 to $200.

There will be no increase for the daily fee, monthly fee or electric car fees.

Most Hopkins spaces are free, but the city has permit spaces for those who need to park longer than the short-term spaces allow.

The additional money is needed to offset rising maintenance costs, said Finance Director Christine Harkess. The city just spent $30,000 to reseal a deck and it expects to have other expenses—such as security cameras that some on the council want to have installed.

The increases—at $1.25 and $1.67 per month—aren’t large. But Councilman Rick Brausen said he doesn’t like raising the fees when the city . That increase hit monthly permit holders, too.

“I’m not balking at the amount. I’m balking at the frequency,” Brausen said.

Staff will explore ways to project out parking expenses and hold fees steady longer.