Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/285258
By now it is clear Sarasota is enjoying a robust season. One early reporting indicator is the number of parking violations. During the monthly Parking Advisory Board meeting on Wednesday, March 26, those early returns showed "Ticket revenues were up significantly," city Parking Manager Mark Lyons announced. At least 17 percent of the tickets the past t w o m o n t h s w e r e issued to vehicles with out-of-state tags. Because rental cars can no longer be identi- fied as such by their plates, it is impossible to determine the fraction of the tickets given to their drivers, but they, too, add to the revenue stream. In January the city's Parking Department g r o s s e d a p p r o x i - m a t e l y $ 6 7 , 0 0 0 ; i n February, the figure was nearly $60,000. The stump of a parking meter stands covered in front of City Hall in May 2011. Photo by Norman Schimmel` MEMBERS OF A CITY ADVISORY BOARD ARE READY TO BROACH THEIR IDEAS WITH THE CITY COMMISSION — INCLUDING HOW TO FACE THE DEFICIT DILEMMA A NEW MOVE ON PAID PARKING? We are looking for a strategy to use beyond today, but not to get too far out on a limb. Mark Lyons Manager Parking Department City of Sarasota By Stan Zimmerman City Editor