Valley Academy for Career and Technology Education student learns to teach
December 26, 2025
Officer Andres Cervantes joins Cottonwood PD
December 25, 2025
Arizona State Parks and Trails offers free admission Jan. 1
December 24, 2025
MUHSD OKs merit-based pay structure
December 23, 2025
Couple gives VVCDO land for 45 homes
December 22, 2025
Cottonwood News
Camp Verde News
Clarkdale News
Education News
Feature Stories
Sports
AllCowboysMaraudersVerde Valley Sports
Mingus Marauders ready wrestling team for season
December 20, 2025
Camp Verde 4 Community plans CVUSD stadium
December 18, 2025
Marauders make moves ahead of soccer season
December 17, 2025
CV wrestling begins season after coaching doubts
December 10, 2025
Summer scrimmages make winter wins for Mingus
December 9, 2025
Cowboys
Marauders
Photo Galleries
Obituaries
Opinion
Classifieds
Verde Valley News
Cottonwood News
Share FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp The Jerome Town Council has voted to update its parking fee structure at a June 8 meeting. The new fee, a flat rate of $4 for the day, will go into effect July 1. The council also discussed a discounted rate for residents and town employees, but decided to table that discussion indefinitely. Daulton Venglar/Larson Newspapers The town of Jerome voted to update the parking fees in town to a flat, daily rate. The council passed a resolution amending Ordinance 456 at its June 8 council meeting, changing the fees at the parking kiosks located around town effective July 1. Currently, it costs $3 for up to four hours and $5 for the entire day to park on many Jerome streets. The council voted to amend this “pay to park” fee to a flat rate of $4 per day. “I think it’s a great move,” Mayor Jack Dillenberg said. The council also discussed the idea of allowing Jerome residents and employees of local businesses to purchase a prepaid discounted parking pass of $3 per day. While Dillenberg was supportive of the move, the council members in attendance were not. “We have talked about this, and talked about this, and talked about this, and every time we say ‘no,’ and then it seems like we all just kind of got sideswiped,” Councilwoman Alex Barber said. The way a discounted pass would work if passed is any resident or employee who wanted to take advantage of the new discount could purchase a 10-day pass for $30 at either the Jerome Town Hall or Jerome Police Station. Proof of residency or employment would be required to qualify for the pass. “I also think that this is going to put so much more paperwork on whoever decides to do this on how to fill these out,” Barber said. Several council members also expressed concern that the move would negatively impact the revenue the town receives from parking fees. Dillenberg said he spoke with Police Chief Allen Muma regarding the matter, who did not believe that the change would significantly impact revenue. In fact, he believes it would actually increase profits. “The numbers would increase significantly in our revenue … because employees would come to town and park, and it’s only $1, so the negative impact is minimal,” Dillenberg said. “Chief Muma really felt very confident that this would not reduce our income.” However, councilwoman Sage Harvey felt this would not be the case as the majority of tourists will pay for a day pass but will only stay a few hours, and the town makes money on parking turnover. And if employees park in those spots for an entire day at a discounted rate, that revenue would disappear. “It’s not just $1. People come and go and they’re here for a couple hours. That car changes three probably times a day at least, so we are talking about $12 as opposed to $3,” she said. “I don’t know how many employees are going to use it, but I just don’t think that you can say that you’re going to get more revenue from it when you think about the turnover of tourists.” Regardless of whether the resolution would increase or decrease the town’s revenue, Dillenberg stressed that the move would send a message to employers in town that they support their businesses. “Tourists are going to come. They’re going to park. If you’re going to be in town, you’ve got to park somewhere,” he said. “This will help the employees of businesses. I think it would be a very positive sign to show our support for the businesses here. We do a lot for the tourists, and the tourists are going to come and be here, period.” Councilwoman Jane Moore said employees and residents who purchase a pass may still find themselves unable to find a parking spot, and expressed concern that they would be upset that they prepaid for parking when there aren’t any spaces available. Moore said she would rather see the town set up designated employee parking somewhere in town or provide a shuttle service. “It’s not that we don’t support the businesses or their employees at all. I don’t see it that way. I just see it being another headache,” she said. Discussion of the resolution allowing discounted parking rates was tabled indefinitely. - Advertisement -