Chapel Hill residents are going to need more money in their wallets if they plan to park illegally.
Monday the Chapel Hill Town Council passed a bill that, effective Nov. 1, will allow the city to increase parking fines by $100 for those who park illegally in handicap spots and $15 for those vehicles that remain in a metered space after the meter has expired.
Kay Johnson, Chapel Hill's finance director, said she believes the increases are needed so the town's fines will match the fines issued by the University.
"If you were choosing between parking illegally on campus or parking in town, which would you choose?" Johnson asked.
She emphasized that with the town's lower fines, there is a higher rate of illegal parking off campus. Her hope is for the town and the University to be consistent, and to reduce the number of illegally parked vehicles in the entire area.
Currently the fines are $30 for the removal of a boot, $100 for parking in a handicap space, a flat $15 fee for parking in a space with an expired meter and $40 for a basic violation, which includes parking in bike lanes, on sidewalks or at a bus stop.
The new fines will be $55 for a boot, $15 for each two hours parked at an expired meter, $200 for parking in a handicap space and $50 for a basic violation.
Town officials said the public has not expressed discontent with the changes.
"I have not heard any complaints," Johnson said.
