Ch-ching! Greenport paid parking brings in nearly $300K —topping projections by 65%

Greenport’s controversial expanded paid parking program brought in $272,688.50 during its seasonal run, 65.3% above the village’s $165,000 budget projection, officials said Thursday.

“The goal was to get primarily summer visitors to help pay for parking, which will help supplement the needs of the village and defray taxes to village residents, which has been a big issue,” Mayor Kevin Stuessi said at the work session.  

Village Treasurer Adam Brautigam said the figure reflects parking transactions and does not include ticket revenue.

Mr. Brautigam said the revenue generated represents approximately 18.6% of the village’s nearly $1.47 million property tax levy. That means, without the paid parking revenue, he said the village would need to raise approximately 18.6% more in property taxes to generate the same amount of revenue.

“Paid parking is helping to shift a portion of that financial burden away from the village property taxpayers and onto those using the parking system,” Mr. Brautigam said. “This additional revenue will help keep the property tax burden lower for the residents.”

Mr. Brautigam has previously said the current average residential tax bill is $1,223, and the average commercial tax bill is $2,746.

Metered parking began on Memorial Day and ended on Monday, which was Columbus Day. It was in effect daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. It will resume on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend next year.

Paid parking in the 2025 fiscal year brought in roughly $23,650, while it only ran from August to October 2024, and for a few weeks at the end of May 2025.

This season brought two newly metered parking lots — off Main Street and Adams Street — costing $3.50 an hour, with the village collecting 85% of that money. The other 15% goes to ParkMobile, the app used for the lots. Front Street from Third to Main Street already had paid spots, as did Main Street from Center Street to Claudio’s parking lot.

Mr. Brautigam said Main Street was the most popular spot to park, followed closely by Adams Street. The average parking time varied for each zone, but was right around 2 hours per session overall.

Mr. Brautigam said that, following pushback on the rate before implementation, he did not hear that complaint continue as the season progressed. 

Village Administrator Jenna Butler Esposito also shared in her work session report that FBS Parking Solutions is the “clear choice” for the village to utilize for future parking permits. She said it includes permitting, enforcement and direct integration with the Town of Southold court system, and is cheaper than other options.

The system would cost $15,250. Ms. Esposito’s report also shows the recommended cost per permit would be $55 for village residents and business district employees. 

“FBS came in not only with the lowest quote for permitting, but they’re also the only company that came in to be able to put all three together in that price point,” she said. “So it’s a pretty incredible opportunity for us.”