City Hall’s plan to privatize 10 parking structures to cover its $208
million deficit without having to go into bankruptcy hit a snag Tuesday
— the biggest tax scofflaws in the city are parking lot operators.
For
years, city officials did little or nothing to collect the $400 million
owed it by companies and individuals — topping the list of debtors are
parking lot operators who owe the city more than $100 million.
In
an emotional and sometimes angry Council session Tuesday, the issue
came up as an embarrassment and obstacle to turning over operation of
the city’s lots to the same group of people who have ripped the city
off.
Nonetheless, the Council unanimously approved spending more
than $500,000 more for a total of $1.2 million to move forward with
studies to privatize its parking structures.
For a full report, got to OurLA.org and read stories headliined Parking Lot Privatization Triggers Heated Council Debate and Looking For Funds in LA Parking Structures,
Tax Scofflaws. Lists of top debtors headed by parking lot operators are also available..