A pair of St. Augustine city commissioners were at odds Monday over a suggestion to hike parking meter fines from $25 to $100.
Commissioner Jim Springfield called the current penalty a “loophole” exploited by motorists who treat the fine as an affordable all-day parking fee in Downtown St. Augustine.
Currently, parking costs $1.75 per half hour.
“So for $26.75, I can park in St. Augustine all day,” Springfield said. “People are using that loophole, for sure.”
He argued that raising the fine to $100 would discourage the practice, noting the penalty hasn’t been updated in decades.
Commissioner Jon DePreter expressed cautious agreement but urged a broader review.
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“There’s some validity to that,” he said. “But I would rather have a more comprehensive discussion about parking downtown in general.”
Commissioner Cynthia Garris opposed the idea, warning it could unfairly punish downtown workers.
“Do you know a lot of employees park at the metered spots?” she asked. “So I lost $100 and didn’t even make $100 because I didn’t get out there and feed the meter? That sounds crazy.”
Speingfield’s push is unrelated to an commission advanced an ordinance to increase fines for illegal parking — such as blocking driveways, parking in loading zones, on grass, or in yellow-curb areas — from $35 to $100 within a designated downtown zone.
Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline emphasized the change is meant to deter violations, not raise revenue.
“We’re not trying to monetize illegal parking; we’re trying to prevent illegal parking,” City Manager David Birchim added.
A public discussion on that measure will be scheduled for a future meeting.
