by Abigail Ramirez
Daily Lobo
Some students are upset about a new parking permit and fine increase that went into effect July 10.
Julie Rannou was one of them.
"I'm just kind of outraged because the University isn't offering better services, but prices are always going up," she said. "It's hard for students who work on a budget. If the prices went up $2 or $3 that would be OK, but $25 is kind of steep."
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The price of tickets rose between $5 and $150 depending on the offense, said Stacy Nagyvary, spokeswoman for parking and transportation services. Delinquent citations rose $5, and handicapped parking without a placard rose from $100 to $250.
However, not all fines increased. The use of a lost, stolen or altered permit stayed at a $100 fine.
Parking fines have not increased in more than seven years, Nagyvary said. The increase is necessary to keep up with the declining value of the dollar and increased inflation, she said.
"It was ultimately decided that the increase was necessary in order to protect the rights of valid permit holders and to encourage participation in our parking system," she said. "Students should find that the increases in fines will ensure that they are able to find a parking spot and make it worthwhile to purchase a parking permit, because violators will not be taking up spaces intended for valid permit holders."
The decision to raise fines was brought up during the parking and transportation services spring budget process, said Josh Kavanagh, associate director of parking and transportation services.
He said the extra money is needed for maintenance.
"Every dollar that goes into the department gets turned back to services for customers," he said.
Only 10 percent, or about $10,000 per year, of the parking and transportation services' revenue comes from parking fees, he said.
The fines and fees cover upkeep of the shuttle system such as repairs, maintenance and fuel, he said. The money also covers the maintenance of parking facilities and the purchase of paint, asphalt and other items, he said.
"The increases allow us to continue to offer the lowest possible parking permit price for students - our largest customer group," he said.
Most people receive only one citation or warning before they learn how the process works, Kavanagh said. Additional citations are usually not received after the first, he said.
"We really appreciate that the majority of students set good examples by following the parking regulations and purchasing parking permits," Nagyvary said.
Violators have five days to pay or appeal their citations, said Nagyvary. If violators do not pay within 10 days, they will now be charged a $5 late fee, she said. After 10 days, the parking debt is transferred to the violator's Bursar's account. The Bursar's office can then add more late fees to the debt.
Parking permits and fees can be paid online at unm.edu/parking.
The new parking permits for the 2006-07 school year will go on sale Monday.
