Steeper fines are on the way for people who park illegally in Holmes Beach.
Holmes Beach commissioners met Sept. 13 for a work session to discuss a recommendation from Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer to raise the fine for illegal parking within the city.
Parking tickets are issued once daily, not on the hour.
“People ask me how much the fine is and people say ‘is that all day,’” Tokajer said, adding that people treat the $35 fine for illegal parking as a beach parking fee rather than taking it seriously.
Tokajer suggested raising the fine from $35 to $50 and adding a $75 fine for parking in such a manner as to block emergency vehicle access.
“People park right in front of the sign that says ‘no parking,’” he said.
He also suggested adding language to the ordinance to prohibit illegal parking on the city’s right of way, such as facing opposite the flow of traffic.
If the new ordinance is approved, parking fines will be raised from $35 to $50 per infraction.
Commissioners agreed unanimously to move the draft ordinance to a first reading at a future meeting.
Commissioners will next meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive, for a final budget hearing followed by a commission meeting and workshop.