Parking decal prices could go up by 4 percent starting in May if a request from UF’s Transportation and Parking Services is approved.
The price increase would change the cost of an annual decal for any student vehicle from $144 to $150.
This price change is not unusual, said Director Scott Fox. He said it is the smallest percentage increase requested in about 12 years.
Fox said Transportation and Parking Services receives no operating money from the state or university, so it covers its expenses with revenue.
The greatest expenses for next year will include about $3.5 million in payments on four parking garages, about $1 million in upkeep of the garages and $725,000 in lighting utilities, according to information Fox provided.
“We can’t turn off the lights in the parking garages at night because we’ve run out of money,” Fox said.
The proposed changes will be presented to UF’s Board of Trustees at its March meeting. Fox expects the changes to be approved.
The price change would become effective for the decal year starting May 1. Faculty and staff decals are renewed then, Fox said, but the student decal year starts in the fall.
Students buying decals during the summer will pay the old price.
Accounting junior Sara Rodriguez, 19, said decals are already pricey enough. Still, she’ll probably buy one for next year.
“My car’s up here,” she said. “What am I supposed to do?”
