JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI- ‘It’s a big mess’: 2 local leaders raise concerns about Jackson parking meters

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - A former Hinds County supervisor and a community activist from Bolton are calling on the city to end its contract with a private company now handling parking meters in downtown Jackson.

On Tuesday, David Archie and Addie Green appeared before the city council, where they decried the parking kiosks, saying senior citizens don’t know how to use them, and they’re not easily accessible for those with disabilities.

“Jackson, Mississippi, is in a state of emergency. We have all kinds of issues and all kinds of problems, but this is one problem that we can solve right away, by removing those meters, rescinding the contract with this company,” Archie said.

Archie said the city should look for other ways to increase revenue, rather than using the new meters. He also contends Jackson is breaking the law by charging too much for parking violations. He referenced one court case from California backing up his point.

“If you need money, go to Washington, D.C., go to the State House. Beg, plead, ask for money to run this capital city, but don’t put the burden on the people that are coming downtown trying to do business,” he said. “Jackson is not ready for that.”

Currently, someone ticketed in downtown Jackson will receive an initial fine of $24.50. If the amount is not paid within 30 days, it will increase to $44.50. The fine includes an administrative fee of $3.50.

“You have the right to charge a certain amount for the ticket, but when you get into a $24 ticket, and then you don’t pay in [a] certain [number of] days, you raise it to $44.50, they call that something excessive,” he said.

The comments are the latest in a string of concerns raised by residents regarding the new parking kiosks, which were installed a part of a contract with SP Plus Corporation.

The council approved entering into a contract with SP in 2023 to install the state-of-the-art kiosks throughout the downtown area. Under terms of that agreement, SP receives a $94,500 management fee, along with a two percent “incentive fee” from each parking fine collected.

The kiosks, impact about 850 spaces, and give residents the ability to pay using their phones, credit cards, or cash. They were initially expected to generate about $2.2 million a year in new revenue.

Jackson Director of Communications Melissa Faith Payne was unsure how much the meters had brought in as of Thursday. WLBT has since filed an open record request for that information.

As far as Green’s and Archie’s concerns, Payne said the city takes all comments under advisement. She said the meters are more convenient because they offer residents multiple options to pay, including with credit cards, coins, or online.

Green, a community activist from Bolton, told the council that many senior citizens don’t know how to use the devices.

She also says that the kiosks are not located close enough for drivers with disabilities.

“People come to town trying to buy tags, pay their taxes, and many times there is no meter for the handicapped to go to right there [where they] park,” she said. “They have to go down the street to [enter] their registration.”

Unlike the previous meters, which were located at each parking space, each zone has a kiosk, and drivers often have to walk to find one if they’re paying in cash or by credit card.

Residents also can pay via their smart phones, by texting a code to the number listed on a sign. Customers then receive an automatic reply with a link directing them to the website to pay. It costs a dollar an hour to park.

Green and Archie said they also don’t like the fact that they can’t get in touch with anyone if a ticket is given.

“You can’t call anyone that will answer the telephone,” Green said. “It’s a big mess.”

Fines can be paid online, via an address provided on the ticket. They also can be mailed in to Park Jackson, on Fortification Drive East.