The San Luis Obispo City Council increased parking fines by $3, bringing the standard parking ticket to $33. The new fine hike is on top of the 50 percent raise to parking fees passed by the council last year.
The City Council had little choice in the matter; the $3 increase is a state-mandated charge. With it, the state and county charges will amount to a $13 addition on every city parking fine.
The council members voiced disgust at the increase, perhaps realizing they’ll get the blame for a move thrust upon them by the state. As part of the increase, the council put in a clause suggested by Councilmember John Ashbaugh requiring the city to eliminate the state fine additions if the state ever rescinds the fine.
Allen Settle was in a high bluster over the increase.
“This is just one more example of an unfunded mandate by the state,” Settle said.
This article appears in Nov 18-25, 2010.