Parking in downtown Lawrence is expected to get a little more expensive.

As the Lawrence City Commission works on its 2004 budget, one of the items commissioners are considering is an increase for the city’s downtown parking meters.

Under consideration is a proposal to raise the parking meter fees to 25 cents an hour, up from the existing charge of 25 cents for 90 minutes.

The city commission is also considering an increase in parking tickets. Fines could more than double, from $2 to $5 for a violation.

The additional revenue is expected to help fund two staff positions and additional downtown beautification efforts.

For more on this story, tune in to the 6News report at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Sunflower Broadband’s channel 6.