CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A city in Central Illinois is contemplating an increase in the cost of parking at meters, a move that hasn’t been seen since 2009.

According to Kris Koester of Champaign Public Works, the city’s parking fund is currently running at a deficit. The last adjustment to the parking meter fees was over a decade ago, with rates set between 25 cents to $1 per hour at that time.

Koester emphasized the importance of achieving a balanced budget to ensure the long-term viability of the parking system. He noted that parking fees play a crucial role in providing accessible parking in high-traffic areas such as Campustown and downtown, as well as in maintaining the infrastructure of parking garages.