The Albert Lea City Council tabled a resolution Monday to repeal the downtown parking maintenance district.

The measure was tabled until Aug. 22 to allow sufficient opportunity for downtown property owners and the general public to respond to the measure that would repeal all future assessments, boundaries and procedures for property owners in the district.

Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams said the city’s general fund will “support ongoing maintenance to the downtown streets and parking lots with some likely future revenue sources being created in the next year or two.”

He said it will probably take a few years to build a revenue source to replace the district, noting it might not completely replace the district’s revenue, but will help mitigate its effect on taxpayers. There is a fund balance for the district that will also mitigate the effect the repeal will have on the city’s general fund balance.

He said he supports the plan, noting city staff have looked into repealing the district for a couple years.

Adams questioned whether the district is the best way to fund downtown improvement projects and other downtown work, noting city staff are evaluating possible reserved parking permits in parking lots as a possible way to help offset the cost of repealing the district.

City officials will seek public input on the decision.

The council established the goal following its annual retreat and goal-setting session.

The district’s budget is about $35,000 to $40,000 each year.

Third Ward Councilor George Marin said he supports repealing the district and said the council’s effort is admirable.

“I think it’s an extreme inequity,” Marin said, noting that the district almost penalized downtown building owners.

Assistant City Manager Jerry Gabrielatos last week said each property owner pays about $350 a year in assessments — about a half month’s rent.

Gabrielatos said more than 100 parcels are included in the district.