Becker seeking an increase in parking fines, other fees

That pink piece of paper tucked under your windshield wipers may soon snatch more green from your wallet.

Across-the-board increases for parking tickets are among several fee hikes being proposed by Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker in an effort to offset the rising costs of fuel and health care.

"We looked at our fees and felt we had room to raise them and still be well within the range for other large cities in Utah," Becker said.

Most people living in or visiting the capital city wouldn't notice the fee hikes unless they park illegally, build a home or commercial building, get a business license or bury someone in a city cemetery.

Fine increases for most parking tickets would be minimal: The basic expired-meter ticket would go up from $100 to $105; and being cited for expired registration or plates would cost $120 instead of $110.

Getting caught parking illegally in a handicap zone, however, would cost motorists $240 — tacking $50 on to the current fine.

Becker's 2007-08 budget, presented to the Salt Lake City Council, also calls for 10 percent inflationary increases on building permits, including fees for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, demolition, planning and zoning and excavation work.

Getting a business license in Salt Lake City also would cost more if the City Council goes along with Becker's recommendations. The base fee for a regular business license would increase from $75 to $100, matching that of West Valley — the state's second most populous city.

The cost for alcohol licenses would increase by an average of $42 for bars, restaurants and grocery stores.

Sexually oriented businesses also would take a financial hit. Business licenses for outcall agencies such as escort services would cost $1,000 instead of $800, with their employees having to pay a $175 fee, a $35 increase. A business license for a strip club would cost $700 instead of $600, and dancers at such establishments would pay a fee of $200, up from $160.

It also would cost more for taxi drivers to operate in the city. Badges or licenses are proposed to go up from $100 to $177 per driver.

Proposed increases in cemetery fees would have residents paying $770 instead of $700 for an adult grave site. The cost for nonresidents would go up from $1,125 to $1,347.

The City Council has the final say on the city's budget. By state law, the final budget must be adopted by June 22.