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Columbia, SC(WACH)-City parking meter fines could see an increase.

Columbia City Council is considering a move that could bump the parking fee from $7 to $10.

City Council Woman Tameika Isaac Devine says that traditionally the parking fund grows each year, however, this year the numbers are showing an decrease.

"This is not a way to try and deter people from coming downtown and it's certainly not a punishment." Said Devine.  "But it's so that it's comparable in looking at all of our fines."  

The monies collected from the parking fees pays for parking meter attendants, parking garages and their up keep.

The group will meet next week to discuss different parking solutions including the possibility of adding new parking meters that accept credit cards. 

"The cost of running our parking system is going up and if we're going to make the upgrades that we want like the new meters and all that type of stuff we are going to have to support that." Said Devine.

If the proposal gets the green light, fines could increase as early as July 1.