Low compliance rates at local parking meters have the Arlington County Civic Federation considering a push for more enforcement.
The proposal to increase enforcement is one of 36 transportation-related recommendations that could be sent to county leaders. The package was introduced at the March 10 federation meeting, with a vote possible as early as next month.
The item on parking-meter enforcement notes that current compliance rates hover around 40%, according to county data.
In an effort to increase compliance, County Manager Mark Schwartz has proposed adding enforcement resources, which he estimates will increase parking-ticket revenue by 15% to about $5.9 million in fiscal 2027.
More enforcement might encourage those parking to be more likely to pay. County officials estimate total meter revenue will be up 17% in fiscal 2027 to about $13.2 million.
County Board members voted in February to make permanent the “performance parking” initiative that changes meter rates several times per year based on usage. This launched as a pilot program in 2023, financed by the Virginia Department of Transportation.
While county officials have contended that the change was not designed to raise revenue, parking rates now top out at $4.75 per hour, about triple what they had been before the pilot program began.
Other proposals: The proposal for more meter enforcement was among 36 recommendations that are part of the Civic Federation’s proposed transportation resolution.
Nicole Toulouse, chair of the civic federation’s transportation committee, acknowledged that the list is lengthy, but said that adopting the package would save time and effort down the road.
“This can give us the framework so we don’t have to go through this every time” a transportation issue comes up, she said.
Another proposal is expanding the number of intersections with cameras to catch red-light violators.
“As red-light violations present great risks to all road users, Arlington should prioritize installation and operation of PhotoRed cameras,” the draft resolution notes.
Expanding the use of speed cameras where allowed under state law also is one of the proposals.
In what might be a more long-term request, the package asks county officials to study the cost of taking control of major roadways currently under authority of the Virginia Department of Transportation. Among them: Glebe Road, Langston Blvd, Richmond Highway and Arlington Blvd.
The full package will be back for discussion in April.
“Take your time to read it and digest it,” Toulouse requested of delegates.
County Board, congressional candidates to face off in May: Civic Federation leaders are planning to hold a springtime candidate forum at the organization’s Tuesday, May 12 meeting.
Federation president Nicholas Giacobbe told ARLnow he anticipates candidates for County Board and U.S. House of Representatives will be invited to participate.
After the April 21 statewide referendum on congressional redistricting, it will be known whether Arlington will remain entirely in the 8th Congressional District or will be split between newly configured 7th and 8th Districts.
Candidates for both districts have been announcing candidacies in recent months, and others may do so. Whatever the outcome of the referendum, primary elections will be held in early August.
Invitations to the May 12 forum will go out to Democratic, Republican and independent candidates. The event will be open to the public, streamed live online and archived.
