Plymouth County Parking Program Expands to 43 Municipalities, County Finances Show Positive Outlook
Commissioners approve new contract with Rutland, hear promising financial projections for fiscal year 2025
May 22 - PLYMOUTH - The Plymouth County Parking Program continues its impressive growth with the addition of Rutland, Massachusetts, marking the 43rd municipality to join the program and the first from Worcester County. The expansion highlights the program's success in providing parking ticket services across the Commonwealth.
The Plymouth County Parking Program serves as a centralized system for processing parking tickets for municipalities throughout Massachusetts. The program allows towns and cities to outsource their parking ticket management, creating efficiencies and cost savings while providing consistent enforcement across jurisdictions.
Deputy Treasurer Jeffrey Welch presented the contract to the Plymouth County Commissioners at their recent meeting, noting that Rutland is expected to process approximately 100 tickets annually.
"This would be the 43rd member of the parking program that is the first municipality from Worcester County," Welch said. "Expected to do about 100 tickets a year. Not a huge community, but it's actually around the median from our members."
The program now serves 20 Plymouth County towns and 20 municipalities outside the county, along with three state agencies. Weld also announced that North Shore Community College is expected to join the program soon, with an agreement in principle already reached.
The geographical footprint of the county parking program now stretches across Massachusetts. "We go from the New York pillar all the way from one end of the other from West Stockton in the west to Provincetown east," Welch explained. "If you like the Alphabet. We go from Abington to Yarmouth."
Commissioner Sandra Wright expressed enthusiasm about the program's growth. "I can't believe that the parking department or the parking information and how it's grown has excited me so much because, you know, going back to years before and, you know, just not moving and, you know, thinking about maybe just getting rid of it," she said.
Commissioner Gregory Hanley noted the program represents "a solid example of the county stepping in when the state forced an unfunded mandate on our communities, both in the county and clearly outside the county."
Welch acknowledged the foundation laid by Jean Drew, who ran the department for about 20 years during financially challenging times for the county. "I couldn't do any of this again without that foundation and the resources that you guys are providing us," he told the commissioners.
The commissioners unanimously approved the contract with Rutland.
In other business, Treasurer Thomas O'Brien presented a detailed financial report showing positive projections for the county's fiscal year 2025. The monthly reports, covering October through March, consistently show the county is on track to finish the fiscal year, which ends June 30, with a surplus.
"We feel good enough now that we can project that we will finish in the positive for fiscal year 25," O'Brien said. "Given the resources that have been dedicated to the operations of the county for this fiscal year, good management has been helpful."
The March 31 report projects a positive balance of $553,353.58, representing the difference between projected revenue of $906,841 and projected expenses of $353,487.42.
Commissioner Jared Valanzola expressed satisfaction with the financial outlook, noting that the county might be able to redirect surplus funds back into stabilization accounts.
"If we are able to finish out this year and frankly rededicate that surplus back into our stabilization, I think that's a win considering some of the financial hardships we're seeing our friends iin the municipal and state government facing," Valanzola said.
O'Brien highlighted that the positive financial position has been achieved without relying on real asset disposition, unappropriated fund balance, or reserve realization. He credited the collaborative efforts of all county departments for the strong financial performance.
"Good fiscal management leads to those kind of decisions," O'Brien said. "Each team is contributing to this effort."
The treasurer also provided an update on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, noting that additional allocations for communities that requested more resources are being prepared and likely will be ready for commissioners to vote on at their June 5 meeting.
O'Brien requested that commissioners schedule a meeting for June 26 to address any community needs before the end of the fiscal year. He also announced an upcoming ARPA check presentation on June 23 at 6 p.m. for over $500,000.
The commissioners also approved several routine items during the meeting, including:
- Minutes from the May 8 meeting
- Personnel actions including a promotion and retirement
- Vendor and payroll vouchers
- Addition of 2023-2026 Chevrolet vehicles to the county's municipal vehicle bid
All motions passed unanimously.
Watch the complete meeting courtesy of Plymouth County.
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