CAPE MAY – Cape May City Council received a report from Chief Financial Officer Neil Young that showed anticipated city revenues significantly behind where they were at this time last year. The city’s economy took a heavy blow from the COVID-19 outbreak, and its economy is still only partially reopened.
Sources of city revenue that depend on the influx of visitors show the expected losses when compared to years in which a pandemic did not disrupt the flow of the summer tourist season.
Council’s response, at its June 16 meeting, was to introduce an ordinance that would raise parking rates across all zones in the city where rates were not raised last year. In 2019, a performance parking initiative by the city sought to use parking meter rates to relieve pressure for parking in zones adjacent to the city’s prime retail areas. Parking near the Washington Street Mall became more expensive, moving to $2 an hour.
Now, in response to the shortfall in city revenue in 2020, council’s ordinance amendment would raise the per hour rate in other zones in the city untouched in last year’s increase from $1 per hour to $1.50. City Manager Jerry Inderwies Jr. said the change could result in an additional $200,000 or more in city revenue.
Since the change in rates is subject to the ordinance amendment process, which includes two readings of the ordinance at two separate council meetings and a formal public hearing, the earliest the rate change could take effect is Aug. 4.
Lower Township – Re: Cape May spouter. “Canada is our friend” Then why did they threaten to cut off our electricity? With friends like that who needs enemies?
