We think Chattanooga officials may be on to something with the idea of offering some free parking with the $5 city sticker.
But we think they could and should think even broader.
The city is considering expanding an initiative introduced by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) in December that made the first hour of parking free in its public Broad Street and Market Street garages.
The purchase of a city sticker could offer privileges, where today there are none (except the satisfaction you are making a contribution for the betterment of the city.)
City stickers are supposed to purchased by drivers who live in the city, but the Hamilton County clerk’s office administers sale of the stickers alongside the state’s annual registration program, and Chattanooga police would find it impossible to enforce the stickers unless a driver is stopped for another reason.