THE CITY OF SANTA CRUZ, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS HAS INTRODUCED A PROPOSAL. THE DEPARTMENT STATES, IT HAS BEEN ABSORBING DEBT FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS, AND HAS PROPOSED RAISING DOWNTOWN PARKING METER RATES AND THE COST OF SOME PERMITS. THE REVENUES WOULD BE USED FOR PARKING GARAGE REPAIRS AND ROAD MAINTENANCE. SOME RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES BELIEVE A RATE INCREASE WOULD BE BAD FOR THE DOWNTOWN ECONOMY. THE PROPOSAL GOES BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL IN AUGUST.