Living Here

The City of Lake Geneva’s parking laws, rates, and revenue influence all of us, but the burden is not equally distributed.
Parking revenue is the city’s second-highest revenue source. Only the city’s property taxes at $5.2 million are greater than the parking revenue at $1.7 million that netted $1,145,000 after parking expenses in 2018.

What will happen if the parking rate is increased to $3.00 per hour in the downtown area?

It would have two effects. An almost immediate increase in revenue, followed by a delayed negative impact that will follow. There are justifiable reasons for increasing parking rates, but to balance the city’s budget is not one of them. Paying for street parking even at low rates is an inconvenience and as the rate increases, the rate itself becomes a deterrent, unless there is also an increase in benefit or experience that justifies the extra cost. The true impact of an increase in parking charges isn’t to our wonderful tourists who already are used to paying higher rates. The true impact is to the employees and staff of the many small businesses in downtown. The gap between take-home pay and the cost of transportation means these workers will go to work elsewhere. What will happen when businesses can’t attract quality staff, fewer businesses coming to town will result will in fewer new businesses, which will harm us all.

Cartoon Of The Week

Person of the Week

Caroll Pearson has a plethora of knowledge regarding the comprehensive plan and Hillmoor property reading over 175 pages of information. Caroll is super neat and Lake Geneva is lucky to have her on its side.