A recent audit shows that the city of Wilmington loses money on coin-only parking meters -- yet the city continues to use them.
The News Journal reports that according to the audit report, the meters- which are located on downtown streets- cost the city more than $117,000 annually in maintenance and lost revenue between 2013 and 2015.
The costs primarily result from the meters breaking down due to coin jams.
The report says all coin-only meters should be replaced "with new more efficient meters.''
Wilmington director of transportation Brian Mitchell says it's the city's goal to do away with the coin-only parking meters, but noted they need first to form a "comprehensive'' parking plan. He says officials are considering meter-less parking systems that incorporate a driver's smartphone and automated license plate readers.
