By Hailey Higgins, Local News 8 Reporter

IDAHO FALLS - Developers are trying to solve the controversial parking issues in downtown Idaho Falls. It's been a hot button issue and they hope they can solve it without adding more spaces.

On one hand, people said there isn't enough parking. On the other, developers said there is plenty of parking; it's just not used effectively.

Business owners said downtown parking is used by employees, not shoppers and clients, making spots hard to find during peak times.

That's why the Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation is asking the City Council to increase the parking ticket fines.

Right now, if you are parked more than two hours on the street, you will get a $5 ticket.

Ironically, that's the same price to park in the two public parking lots.

The developers want the tickets to go up to $25, and if you pay within 10 days, you will be charged $15.

They say this increase will make things a lot easier for shoppers because it will entice employees to park in the all-day lots just outside downtown.

"We certainly don't want to discourage any of the shoppers. The whole point of this is to find them spaces that are convenient to the shoppers and the customers as much as we possibly can," said Shirley Chastain, Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corp.

The City Council has the proposal and will give it to the city attorney for review.

The Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation said they don't expect anything to happen for a few months.