"Unfortunate necessity:" Many outraged over proposal to pay for parking at Milwaukee County parks

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Hundreds of people filled the Mitchell Domes for a public meeting on Tuesday.

It took a while for county officials to lay out their plan as many of the 300 in attendance booed the "Pay to Park" plan. County Executive Chris Abele says it's necessary to balance the budget, however.

"Nobody is going to go to the parks. They'll park in neighborhoods. If you live next to the park, all of a sudden you're going to have cars in front of your house," said Dave Hecker who attended the public forum.

"I think that takes away from entertainment and leisure. People have financial constraints, and I mean, I think they can use the money in a more effective way," said Katina Smith at the public forum.

County Executive Chris Abele says it's an unfortunate necessity.

"Nobody is wrong to not want to pay more for the government, they're right. Nobody is wrong to not want to see services cut," said Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele.

County leaders say the parking would cost $1 to $2.50 an hour. Abele says the county needs that money because the state has cut county funding.

"The issue is the people that can make a change are at the state level," Abele said.

The plan was already passed in the counties budget but board supervisors say they required an additional vote for the plan and it doesn't have much support.

"We have so many people saying no way. I'm not voting for it. No way," said Jason Haas, Chairman of County Parks Committee.

The County Parks Committee Chair says he expects the final vote on the proposal next month.

Abele says if they take it out of the budget, the board will need to find $2 million somewhere else.

Stay with CBS 58 News for more information on this developing story.