Today, Salt Lake City will begin a 90-day parking ticket amnesty program, designed to settle extremely overdue parking tickets issued prior to July 1, 2014. Individuals with qualifying tickets will receive a discount of approximately 60% off their current fines and fees in exchange for a $10 donation to a selected non-profit, if resolved online, or in exchange for a donation of four cans of non-perishable food items, if resolved in-person. The average citation will be reduced to approximately $70.

Mayor Jackie Biskupski first proposed the program in her budget address in May. Salt Lake City currently has approximately 22,000 parking citations qualifying for the amnesty program, and anticipates settling approximately 4,000 tickets. Currently, the city has budgeted $320,000 in revenue for the program.

“When this was first proposed to me by our finance team, it sounded like a win-win for everyone involved,” said Mayor Jackie Biskupski on the program. “While we will definitely measure the number of tickets we resolve, I think the true measure of success will be the money we raise for the worthy local charities being supported through the program.”

Last week, the Mayor’s Office launched a social media campaign, encouraging residents to nominate their favorite local non-profits to join YWCA of Utah and the Volunteers of America Homeless Resource Center, previously selected to be part of the program. The campaign generated hundreds of mentions across platforms. Based on resident feedback, Big Brother’s Big Sisters of Utah, Comunidades Unidas, and the Utah Pride Center will also be included. Canned food donations will go to the Utah Food Bank.

Individuals can participate in the program by visiting www.slcgov.com/pcd and following the instructions for online payments. In the coming week, the city will mail notices to a select group of individuals with outstanding qualifying tickets. Citations not resolved during this 90-day amnesty program will be turned over to the State of Utah’s collection program.