Council backs hike in parking fees

BOGOR (JP): The Bogor Regency Legislative Council on Monday enacted six draft bylaws on fees and levy collection, but only authorized the local administration to increase parking fees.

"Of the six bylaws enacted, the council only authorized the incremental rise in the parking fees from Rp 500 (7 U.S. cents) to Rp 700," head of the United Development Party (PPP) faction Eman Sulaeman told reporters.

Other bylaws enacted concerned levies for trade and transportation route application, and fees for health services, grave rental and city sanitation.

Eman said the PPP faction initially proposed that the parking fees be increased to Rp 1,000.

"However, it was disregarded by legislators from other factions."

He said the decision to increase the parking fees was made after careful observation of the lifestyle habits of Bogor residents.

"We have noted the large number of vehicles, either personal or public transportation, registered at the local administration's vehicle registration unit," he said.

Meanwhile, acting head of the Bogor regency revenue office Arif M. Budiyanto said parking fees, the traders' levy and city sanitation fees were the main contributors to the regency's revenue in helping finance development in the area.

In the fiscal year 1998/1999, the regency collected Rp 1.09 billion, slightly higher than its target of Rp 1.03 billion.

In the first three months of the 1999/2000 fiscal year that started in April, the local authority amassed Rp 222 million from the entire revenue target of Rp 1.15 billion. (21/imn)