MOTORISTS are unimpressed by a new $5 parking charge proposal, to plug a county’s $402 million budget deficit.
The fee is just one of several measures officials are proposing to boost revenue, but locals have been left fuming at the charges.
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Ozzy Ozon is a basketball coach who regularly uses Tropical Park, one of the several Miami-Dade County Parks that would be subject to the $5 fee.
He said that the new fee will be tough on the hard working parents who drop their kids off at the park for his basketball training sessions.
“Five dollars? As tough as everything is in the economy—especially with kids in school – they have to buy school supplies and other stuff which is more important than having to pay five dollars when you want to come and do exercise”, he told CBS.
Another regular to the park, Daniel Bui, said he thinks the fee could keep families away from the park altogether.
“The park has typically been a place where families from different economic backgrounds can go.
“I think a five-dollar parking fee [would] put a strain on that.”
Miami-Dade Commissioner Anthony Rodriguez is also not a fan of the charge.
“The way I see it is I already pay that in my property taxes, so why should we double dip and also charge for parking when they go use it?” he said.
Furious at the proposed fee, he sent a letter to the mayor, which read: “These services are not merely amenities; they are lifelines that uplift our neighbourhoods, strengthen our community, and preserve the unique cultural fabric of Miami-Dade.”
“Under no circumstances will I ever support [the charge]”, he said.
“That is why my proposal does not just say no, but finds the money so we can plug that hole.”
Mr Rodriguez said he has found $26 million to help offset the deficit, $20 million for the tax collector’s office and $6 million in surplus funds from last year’s budget.
He proposes that this money should go towards cultural arts programs, community organisations and parks.
We don’t want residents under any circumstances [to] have to pay for parking when they go attend our parks,” he said.
Florida’s HOA enforcement
Here is more information on House Bill 1203, Florida’s new HOA regulation:
Florida put a series of guard rails around HOA fine enforcement.
Here is a list of changes homeowners will see by July 1:
- HOAs can no longer restrict parking personal vehicles if they follow state regulations
- Associations must give proper warnings for infractions like garbage bin removal and holiday light displays
- HOAs must keep official records of meetings
- Officials in top HOA positions are subject to criminal prosecution if they accept bribes
- Associations with more than 100 units must publish public information on its website
The law will be most impactful for pickup drivers and emergency vehicle operators.
HOAs will not be allowed to assign fines for pickup drivers who park their vehicles in the driveway.
The law also restricts associations from fining homeowners for emergency vehicle parking.
“Whether they’re going to take a walk with their family or they’re going to play a sport, we want to make sure we can offer that amenity to them at no cost as it is today.”
He added that he will do all he can to find solutions to the budget cuts, but acknowledged that some residents will likely be affected by any decisions made.
