During budget hearings this week, commissioners didn’t discuss the automation issue but did talk money.
“I’d like to see some sort of recommendation on revenue enhancement suggestions for the garage,” Commissioner Don Dixon said. “Without putting debt in the facility.”
Over 80 monthly parking passes are currently issued to county departments for free parking in the garage.
When the garage was opened in 1999, a number of monthly parking passes were issued to all of the county departments, according to Butler County Commissioner Cindy Carpenter.
Monthly rates are $5 to $40. Parking on the top floor of the garage, where there is no protection from the elements, is $35 per month. Eliminating all of the free passes could save $40,320, according to the county.
Daily parking rates — up to $6.50 for an entire day — have gone unchanged for a number of years, according to Butler County Administrator Charlie Young.
Commissioners also balked at the policy of not charging drivers who are parked in the garage for less than 30 minutes.
“Tell me why we do that,” Dixon said. “Government has a way of just not caring about little things… When I go to Cincinnati I don’t get 30 minutes ….”
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