News Article

Loss of Revenue a Sign Parking Program Working: Baird

Barbara Simpson, Simcoe Reformer
June 2011

A drop in revenue from parking fines is actually proving to be a positive sign for the Simcoe BIA.

While the downtown parking enforcement program has run a total deficit of $15,719 over the last two years, this simply means the message of the parking commissionaire is getting across to businesses, residents and shoppers, Norfolk council heard Tuesday.

“Increased enforcement means increased compliance” said Chris Baird, the county’s general manager of planning and economic development services. “There’s a way to almost take yourself out of business.”

Parking commissionaire Ted Little has been on the beat in the pilot enforcement program for the last two years. Little’s presence has made a difference in the downtown, reported Larry Dawson, general manager of the Simcoe BIA to Norfolk council.

While Little does issue parking tickets, his focus is on educating drivers about the downtown parking limits. His approach has helped “smooth ruffled feathers” of ticketed drivers Dawson said.

Little has also become an ambassador of the downtown, Dawson added. He has helped people over snow banks and reported signs of vandalism over the last two years.

“This is definitely a positive impact on our downtown,” he said.

Simcoe Coun. Peter Black echoed this sentiment.

“People, they know him now,” he told council. “They recognize him, they see him consistently enforcing.”

In 2010, 691 tickets were issued and a total of $17,726 was collected. In the first quarter of this year, 176 tickets have been issued with revenue of $6,550 so far.

“No one should be under the miscommunication that this is a revenue-generating exercise,” Mayor Dennis Travale added. “It certainly isn’t, nor was it meant to be.”

Norfolk council voted in favour of extending the parking commissionaire program for another four years.

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