News release

Public hearing set for proposed increase in parking fees

OLYMPIA – The Department of General Administration is proposing to raise rates for parking on the Capitol Campus by $5 a month for most parkers.

If approved, the new rates would take effect January 1, 2008.

The proposed fee increase was the subject of two public meetings in July. The July 26 event was the official public hearing required as part of the proposed revision of Washington Administration Code (WAC) 236-12-290. The WAC revision would strengthen public notice and comment provisions for any future parking fee increases and allow General Administration to adjust rates at its discretion.

The rate increase would apply to about 6,000 parking customers in the Plaza Garage, the Natural Resources Building Garage, the General Administration Garage, the Columbia Street Garage and surface lots on the East and West Campus.

The proposed rate increase would help cover operating costs, including utilities, enforcement, maintenance and general operation. The rate increase is also necessary to meet the Legislature’s intent that the state reduce subsidization of the cost of parking services.

Parking rates were last approved for increase in 2004.

Comments about the proposal can be submitted online at: http://www.ga.wa.gov/Park/FeeIncrease.htm

General Administration parking information: http://www.ga.wa.gov/Park/employee.htm