KSAC collects $1.8m in parking fees

PARKING LOT fees totalling $1.8 million generated the bulk of April's income for the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), the Finance Committee revealed on Tuesday.

The fees accounted for $534,130.67 while amusement licence fees generated $370,100. Tow fees (J$367,500) fell in the third highest bracket in the overall revenue package which was hailed by Mayor of Kingston Marie Atkins and other members of the Finance Committee as "an improvement in revenues".

Noting that there was room for improving towing fees, city treasurer Lincoln Evans said that the KSAC is seeking a place on Maxfield Avenue to set up its own car pound."

The committee spent over two hours discussing financial matters such as KSAC property rentals, request for approvals, revenues and collection of fees.

While applauding the improvement in revenue, the Committee identified the difficulty in collect fees as a recurring problem. Billboard fees, for example only brought in $10,000 in revenue last month. Councillor for the Tivoli Division, Desmond McKenzie described the returns as small, in relation to the volume of billboards installed around the Corporate Area.

Responding to his concerns, chairman of the Finance Committee, William Hasfal announced plans to go over the billboards policy in June," so that by July 1, we can start knocking down the illegal billboards. We are meeting with the planning officer to streamline things," he noted.

Other efforts will be made to increase the profitability of the Corporation. Business places that are not paying over fees will also be targeted in the collection drive.

Target

The Committee said it would target The Marketplace on Constant Spring Road which has among its activities, regular Sunday bingos for payment of amusement fees. A new parking lot in New Kingston will be completed in "a few weeks," the Committee revealed. Profits from the car parks there, although still high, have been skewing downwards since January, the Council records show.

Councillors ended Tuesday's meeting on a stormy note over an approval for a car loan to a field inspector in the Planning Department. The meeting heard that Miss Karema Aitkens had applied twice before "with no favourable response". Chairman of the Committee, William Hasfal and Mayor Marie Atkins stated immediately that the KSAC could not afford to provide the loan.

However, upon hearing that the officer was entitled to a loan, a heated argument developed with members from both sides voicing their opinions about the travelling officer's right to be considered, and for more sensitivity to be applied in responding to her request.

Mayor Atkins who had earlier had a Mercedes Benz approved by the KSAC for her use, queried why the officer couldn't use the department's vehicle. "The KSAC cannot afford that," she stated.

In her letter, the officer had outlined her request for a loan to purchase a used car. "Since my transfer to the Planning section, the workload has been overwhelming and it becomes necessary to make several site visits weekly. A motor vehicle would greatly improve my mobility and ultimately result in speedier and more efficient processing of the workload," the letter stated.

Opposition councillor for the Havendale division, Merline Daley and Patricia Morgan, councillor for the Dallas division, chided Mr Hasfal for overstepping his functions as chairman by attempting to close the subject in spite of the fact that other members of the Committee had objected.

"You only moderate. You can't make that decision. You don't have the authority," Miss Daley contended. She argued that all applications should be given equal consideration. "Give it to them. They work here. Treat them good. It's a matter of principle."

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