County Commissioners Say No to $150 Parking Fines

By Lisa Neff

The fine for illegal parking at Manatee County amenities and along unincorporated county roads still costs $25, less than paid parking for a couple of hours at the beach.

County commissioners voted 5-1 Oct. 21 to deny a proposed ordinance raising the fine for non-criminal illegal parking to $150. Commission Chair George Krus, R-At-Large District, voted against the motion and Commissioner Tal Siddique, R-District 3, was absent.

The discussion on the dais was one-sided, with commissioners objecting to the increase.

“It’s ludicrous,” said Commissioner Bob McCann, R-District 5, who opened the discussion and remained firmly opposed to a hike throughout a presentation from the public safety department.

The county issues tickets for illegal parking on county roads and at county amenities, including Coquina and Manatee Public beaches, boat ramps, parks and preserves.

The county’s current fine, $25, is less than fines in the island cities, which range from $75 to $100 for a general violation. The current Manatee fine also is less than the penalties in Sarasota, Hillsborough, Lee and Pinellas counties.

Public safety director Jodie Fiske told commissioners Oct. 21 that a $25 fine is not a deterrent to illegal parking, which is monitored by law enforcement and code enforcement.

Fiske said, “When our officers are issuing tickets, they are often told by the residents, ‘You might as well give me another one for tomorrow because I’m going to park here in the same spot.’”

            A memo to commissioners said recurring violations result in:

            • Vehicles blocking emergency access;

            • Double parking, creating sight line obstructions and traffic hazards;

            • Unauthorized parking in reserved spots;

            • Occupied spaces intended for persons with disabilities;

            • Parking that restricts access to recreational amenities.

            The memo stated a $150 fine would:

            • Align with regional standards for violations;

            • Create a financial incentive for compliance;

            • Generate resources for enhanced signage and education efforts.

In 2024, county code enforcement issued 239 tickets for parking violations and collected $7,950 in penalties. A $150 fine would have resulted in $35,850 in penalties for the same number of tickets.

Fiske said the county doesn’t want to issue tickets to generate revenue. The goal, she said, is to deter illegal parking, especially on the island, where the operators of some paid parking lots charge $15 an hour.

But commissioners questioned the hike, as well as the use of code enforcement officers to write tickets, suggesting there are more urgent concerns.

 “Seems more like a punishment than it does a deterrent,” McCann said.

Commissioner Jason Bearden, R-At-Large District, said he was not in favor of increasing any type of “fees.”

“Before we start talking about increasing fees, we need to start talking about lowering taxes,” he said.

Commissioner Amanda Ballard, R-District 2, said $150 was too high, but $75 seemed sufficient.

In the end, McCann made a motion to deny the ordinance, which Ballard seconded. The motion passed, and the fine remains $25.