Rexburg, ID
City streets that have been free parking now require a small red and white permit that hangs from the rear-view mirror of a vehicle. The university permits, issued by the City of Rexburg, cost $15 per semester or $35 per year.
Reactions to these changes have varied. Some students are suspicious.
“I just want to know why they are doing this, because it seems like they are doing it just to make a quick buck,” said Cody Pettersen, a sophomore studying business management.
The Rexburg City Council, which oversaw the planning and implementing of the new law, hopes that the regulations will be beneficial for everyone.
City Council President Christopher Mann said that the city had several reasons for making the changes. Working closely with university officials, the City Council researched other college-towns’ parking regulations such as Provo, Utah; Laramie, Wyoming; and Logan, Utah.
“This is not a unique solution, as it has been tried in other communities with similar sized schools with an effective outcome,” said city clerk Blair D. Kay.
President Mann also responded to criticism by some that the city had ulterior motives for the new parking regulations.
“Something had to be done,” Mann said. “We were fearing for the safety of the students. Our goal is not to make money.”
The funds collected from the sale of permits go to the city’s general fund.
“It’s less than a drop in a bucket,” Mann said. “Our police budget is over 2.2 million.”
As of Thursday, Sept. 11, all residential and university permits were sold out.
Included in the new regulations are rules on how vehicles should be parked. Along many streets, drivers are now required to back in the diagonal space.
bigdog, 3 years ago | FlagI agree with the city's decision. I am about to graduate, and I have heard over and over again about parking problems. First, this campus is (both past and present) a walking campus. Second, students who live a few blocks away drive instead of walking, how lazy. Third, I know several students who have to drive because they live a great distance away (several miles) from campus that would pay for parking. So, I feel that parking should be for thoses who need it (i.e. those who live a great distance away), and who are willing to pay for it.
As far as the city making money from this, why not. It's just business, and they have a expensive and expanding city to look after. If the police budget is 2.2 million dollars, imagine how much road repairs, garbage disposal, city buildings and parks, and traffic lights cost. A lot. The money is going into the cities general fund, so, for everything
.
megmal19, 3 years ago | FlagWhen I heard that Rexburg was taking more money from the students I was very annoyed. It seems that this city will find any way to take more money from students. There is no point in these parking permits, except to give the city more money. These parking regluations do not protect the students. Now that everyone is walking those who are driving are trying to dodge all the pedestrian s running through random parts of the streets. Eventually someone is going to get hit. There is a lot better chance now that we have walkers and bikers all around all the time. I agree with the comment below, the city needs to take the money and put it towards something that will actually keep us safe.
mgeorge4, 3 years ago | FlagI agree with the rest of you. It really feels like another way for the city to scam a little more money out of the students. I think during the seven week break the city takes a big financial hit, so this just softens the blow. I am honestly doubting they were "fearing for the safety of the students."
If they really are sincere about that statement, I would like to see 100% of the parking permit money go to installing new traffic lights/sig nals and fixing the city streets.
hanjames, 3 years ago | FlagI have a very difficult time understanding the benefits of this new parking requiremen t. According to President Mann, they were "fearing for the safety" of the students. That makes absolutely no sense to me. It's not as if the parking spaces have been removed, now you just have to pay to park there. Please tell me how that benefits everyone. If money is not the issue for the city, why does it cost more than university permits. A better question, why does it cost anything at all? If they really felt permits necessary, why not just hand out an alloted amount on a first come first serve basis. I think this entire thing is ridiculous . We are already keeping the entire city in business. Why do they want more from us?
jrbriscoe, 3 years ago | FlagGood story. My problem with the city is that they are saying they dont want to make money off the students but they are. And its a huge issue for me because the city of Rexburg doesn't have to give BYU-Idaho any money because we are a private school and not funded by the state. If the city is really concerned about the safety of the students and worried about the parking problem then the city should just make it illegal to park in these areas rather than require students to buy a permit! Makes sense to me!
Flagging notifies the iComm Student Media webmaster of inappropriate content. Please flag any messages that violate the Terms of Service. Please include a short explanation why you're flagging this message. Thank you!
If you believe this content violates the Terms of Service, please write a short description why. Thank you.
Flagging notifies the iComm Student Media webmaster of inappropriate content. Please flag any messages that violate the Terms of Service. Please include a short explanation why you're flagging this message. Thank you!
Your First Name (optional)
Email Addresses (comma separated)
Import friends
Message to Friends (optional)
Are you human?
Or, you can forward this blog with your own email application.