The longer you park, the more you pay.
That’s the idea behind the new fee structure at two county-owned parking decks on Marietta Square.
The Cobb Board of Commissioners approved the fees and new, extended hours for paid parking at its regular meeting Tuesday.
Patrons of the parking decks currently pay a flat $5 on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. with parking on weekends free.
Under the new system, which goes into effect Feb. 1, the county will charge for parking on Saturdays, while parking on Sundays will remain free.
The first thirty minutes will be free to park.
To park up to two hours will cost $2; two to five hours will cost $5; and five hours or a lost ticket will cost $7.
The paid parking hours are also being extended to 8 p.m. on weekdays.
The parking decks have been operating at a loss, requiring subsidies from the General Fund.
"We are at the point now where there are no more buckets to draw from," said Commission Chairman Mike Boyce, who said the board had a duty to tax payers to “spend responsibly.”
Several local business representatives came out against new parking fees, arguing it would deter visitors to the square.
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