St. Joseph City Commissioner Michael Sarola, who is seeking re-election this fall, says the city’s recent paid parking controversy remains unresolved and will likely shape future discussions about downtown operations.
Sarola, the top vote-getter when he was elected to the post four years ago, told WSJM’s Morning Show with Ken & Friends, that while the idea behind paid parking was sound, the city miscalculated in its rollout. He said community pushback was stronger than anticipated, leading the commission to suspend the program for the summer.
“The overwhelming majority of residents and business owners I’ve talked with don’t want paid parking to return,” Sarola said, though he noted the city still faces congestion during peak beach season. He suggested adjusting time limits for spaces — such as adding more 30-minute and two-hour spots downtown — and said if a paid component returns, it should be limited to lots with options like season passes.
Sarola said the original intent of paid parking was to keep downtown spaces available for shoppers and diners, rather than beachgoers, while also generating revenue. That revenue remains an important issue, as he pointed to mounting infrastructure needs.
He noted that 11 of the city’s 12 downtown lots require major repairs, with one recent project alone estimated at $1.7 million. Beyond parking, Sarola said the city faces about $92 million in upcoming projects, including state-mandated work such as lead service line replacement and upgrades to the water plant.
“We need to expand our tax base, not raise taxes, to pay for these priorities,” he said. “It’s about being responsible with development and making the best use of city-owned properties.”
Sarola said he supports strategic downtown development that balances growth with maintaining services, as the city continues to weigh both parking and long-term infrastructure needs.
The interview with Sarola (click here to watch the full discussion) was the first in a series of candidate interviews featured on the WSJM Morning Show with Ken & Friends. Interviews with all six candidates will be heard through Thursday, Oct. 2.
