St. Joseph City Commissioner Michael Sarola, who is seeking re-election this fall, says the city’s recent paid parking controversy remains unresolved and will likely shape future discussions about downtown operations. “The overwhelming majority of residents and business owners I’ve talked with don’t want paid parking to return,” Sarola said, though he noted the city still faces congestion during peak beach season. Sarola said the original intent of paid parking was to keep downtown spaces available for shoppers and diners, rather than beachgoers, while also generating revenue. That revenue remains an important issue, as he pointed to mounting infrastructure needs. Beyond parking, Sarola said the city faces about $92 million in upcoming projects, including state-mandated work such as lead service line replacement and upgrades to the water plant.