In the big scheme of things, revenue from parking is a pittance to the village of Fredonia coffers. According to the 2026-27 budget, only $25,000 is expected to be collected.

That is extremely minimal. In fact, with each trustee making $6,000 per year, that cash coming in does not even cover their salaries.

But in a struggling downtown, the village is moving forward with a hearing on a new web app that allows motorists who stop for shopping or to do business downtown to pay via cell phone for a space. On Monday, a public hearing was to take place on the proposed change. That was canceled on Friday afternoon.

“Although the Village of Fredonia previously regulated certain parking spaces through traditional parking meters, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Fredonia now determines that payment for parking in designated spaces shall be made through a mobile parking meter application system in lieu of physical parking meters,” the resolution states.

While we expect this proposal to bring much criticism, our point is simple: with revenues so slim, why continue the practice? If the village wants to be welcoming, it can go without the service that would be provided by an outside source — that could take even a larger chunk of that revenue.

These are challenging times in Fredonia. Parking problems, at the moment, are some of the least of the village’s worries.