WPCNR  TRAFFIC TATTLER. By John F. Bailey. January 21, 2004: The White Plains Parking Authority Board voted Tuesday evening to authorize Executive Director Albert Moroni to seek an increase in the basic onstreet parking violation ticket in White Plains from $10 to $15 effective July 1, 2004. Mr. Moroni said he would present the case for an increase to Judge Joann Friia of the White Plains City Court which is the governing body that controls fine structures for the city.

 WHITE PLAINS TRAILS OTHER MUNICIPALITIES IN FINE LEVERAGE: Executive Director Albert Moroni of the White Plains Parking Authority, right, demonstrates with Deputy Director John Larson, basic on-street parking violations of other municipalities in the region. Some of the fee structures have built-in rate increases that quickly raise the ante on the ticket if not paid promptly. Moroni plans no increase in the late ticket fees for White Plains. Photo by WPCNR News

The Executive Director noted that increased salary costs, an expected increase in ticket collection fees by the outsource vendor which administers the ticket collection, dictated the ticket increase. Moroni said the raise in the basic street parking ticket would net an additional $900,000 a year, based on 250,000 to 270,000 Parking Tickets issued.

Moroni related some interesting statistics to the Parking Authority Board: White Plains issues more parking tickets than the city of Cleveland, Ohio. The last increase in the basic parking violation was in 2001, when the levy went from $5 to $10. White Plains collects on 90% of its tickets, a “phenomenal” rate, Moroni said. No rise is planned in the late payment scale.

Moroni also reported that the WPPA collects $4.5 Million a year in Parking Permit Fees and $4.3 to $4.4 Million in Parking Ticket Fines, for net revenues of $9 Million a year. He said the number of parking tickets had dropped recently due to a shortage of  Parking Summons Officers which are now up to full strength he said.

A CLOSER ANALYSIS: Moroni determined that judging by the basic Parking Violations (for overtime) Fines charged by nearby cities and towns, that White Plains at $10 currently is below market rates. Photo by WPCNR News.