Rehoboth Beach may double parking meter rate
For the second consecutive year, city officials are looking to take more quarters out of tourists' pockets as a way of adding to Rehoboth Beach's revenue stream and managing downtown parking.
As part of preparing this year's budget, the mayor and city officials are considering doubling the current parking rate from $1 to $2 per hour. Also being considered are rate increases for parking permits and extending the paid-parking season an additional two weeks into the fall.
Some are concerned the increases and season extension could drive business to Route 1.
The proposed fee increases come as city officials are looking to upgrade their parking meter system to include machines that accept credit cards.
"I'm outraged," Rehoboth resident Bitsy Cochran said. "I just can't understand the necessity to raise it that much."
The increased rates will help pay for the new parking machines, said Rehoboth City Councilman Paul Kuhns, and keep people from adding more quarters to the meter and keeping his or her car in the same space longer than its maximum allotted time.
The increase should not cause a drop in tourism, Kuhns said.
Rehoboth property owner Steve Simmons said experimenting with the higher rate should not have serious ramifications on tourism and downtown businesses.
City Manager Greg Ferrese said he expects town officials to vote on the budget later next month.
source: dailytimesonline.com
