CROWN POINT | Lake County Commissioner Roosevelt Allen, D-Gary, proposes charging the public for the opportunity to drive up and do business with county officials as a way to offset anticipated reductions in property tax revenue.
But Allen's suggestion of beginning to charge a parking fee for using lots outside of county government buildings isn't popular among other officials and political figures, who say it would hammer members of the public who are most in need of county services and least able to pay.
County officials have to cut between $10 million and $15 million from current spending levels because of state-mandated property tax caps and despite rising food and energy costs.
Allen said last week creating parking fees would be preferable to layoffs and service cuts other county officials are contemplating.
"You have to start looking at the revenue side. We have to generate more," Allen said. "If you go to the county government center in Indianapolis, you pay to park."
Councilman Larry Blanchard, R-Crown Point, a member of the county finance committee that is drafting a list of cost-cutting measures to begin the 2009 budget debate, responded, "I've heard Commissioner Allen's idea. I can't support it."
Commissioner Fran DuPey, D-Hammond, said of a parking fee, "Absolutely not. No way."
County Commissioner Gerry Scheub, D-Schererville, said he couldn't support parking fees either.
One state lawmaker said the county should focus on enacting cost-cutting measures already recommended in a privately funded Good Government Initiative study.
"I understand they are trying to be creative, but have they implemented the consolidation pointed out in the (study)?" asked state Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster.
George Janiec, the Republican candidate against Reardon, also came out against parking fees.
"You are penalizing people with disabilities and people who have to go to the court system or the county health department," Janiec said. "Will there be special exemptions for county employees who abuse their parking passes and then we have a parking scandal?"
