County Garage Parking Rates Go Up Downtown

Parking in the El Paso County-owned garage next to the County Courthouse in Downtown El Paso just got more expensive.

On Monday, the parking rates were restructured without warning.

The old rates started at $1.50 for up to a half hour, then it went up to $1.75 for 31 minutes to an hour. It was then $2.75 for an hour to an hour-and-a-half, and anything over that was $3.75.

The new rate remains at $1.50 for up to a half hour, but after that it jumps to $3.75.

County officials said they made the move to bring the garage’s rates more in line with other garages in the Downtown area.

“We’re just making sure we keep on the same level playing field,” Commissioner Willie Gandara Jr. said.

County officials said the alternative to raising parking rates is to raise taxes. The city of El Paso faced a similar deficit last year and also avoided raising taxes by raising fees in some areas.