Based on 2007 budget numbers, the city’s parking operations are struggling to pay their own way.

The 2007 budget calls for the city to spend about $1.15 million for payroll and maintenance activities, but parking meters, fines and permits are expected to generate only $880,000. The city has budgeted to tap into its fund balances – the equivalent of a savings account – to cover the $270,000 shortfall.

City Manager David Corliss said that likely won’t happen. Instead, the city probably will choose not to undertake some maintenance projects or other spending that is called for in the budget. That is what the city has done in past years to make up for shortfalls in the parking fund. In 2005, the city cut about $90,000 worth of planned purchases of supplies and contracted services to help cover a shortfall.

The parking fund’s major expense, though, is payroll. Parking operations pay for five parking control officers, three court clerks who process tickets, two parking lot maintenance workers, one parking meter maintenance worker and two police officers who help patrol downtown parking.

Payroll costs for the positions are budgeted for about $685,000. Parking meter revenue and overtime parking fines are expected to generate about $680,000. The remainder of the parking fund’s revenue comes from the sale of permits for the Ninth and New Hampshire streets garage and the riverfront garage.