Parking meter fee hikes off the table amid shifts in Norfolk’s proposed budget

NORFOLK — The city’s fiscal 2024 budget proposal initially included a significant fee increase for parking — bumping up the cost to park at street meters to $5 per hour. But Norfolk officials now say that change is off the table as the city works to reconcile it’s $1.85 billion spending plan.

Metered street parking currently ranges from $1 to $1.80 per hour depending on location.

Also off the table, according to city spokesperson Chris Jones, are fee hikes to garage parking that would have raised the maximum daily rate to $14. The max daily rate for city garages and lots is currently $13 and for MacArthur garages is $10.

“If we don’t do any of the increases, it’s $6.7 million lost revenue to the parking fund,” said Catheryn Whitesell, deputy city manager, at an April 25 work session. Revenue from the fee hikes would have gone toward new lamps in parking garages and a department specific appropriation.

Jones said some council members asked for parking fees to stay flat during budget discussions.

The budget is still in flux ahead of council’s June 13 vote to adopt the spending plan. According to Jones, the bottom line is a “moving target” right now.

“If members of the city council or city departments request additional services or projects be added to the proposed budget, or if there are proposed revenue streams that may be reduced or eliminated, the city manager and staff must adjust their revenue or expenditure projections commensurate to balance out the effects of those changes,” Jones said in an email.

Residents can weigh in on the budget at a public hearing at 6 p.m. June 6 ahead of the council’s budget vote the following week.

Norfolk would have stood out regionally with high rates for parking meters if the city had gone ahead with the increase. Portsmouth maxes out at $1.25 per hour, and Oceanfront parking in Virginia Beach is $2 per hour April through October. Even in the nation’s capital, metered street parking costs less — Washington, D.C. has charged $2.30 per hour since 2016.

Street meters operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday in downtown Norfolk. There is free all-day parking on Sunday.

Cianna Morales, 757-957-1304, cianna.morales@virginiamedia.com