MUKILTEO — Increasingly scarce parking in Old Town Mukilteo has city officials scrambling for solutions.

Some relief is expected before year’s end as the city negotiates with the U.S. Air Force to lease 1.3 acres of a tank farm. That’s expected to provide more than 100 extra parking spaces.

The parking will be divided between ferry commuters, business customers and park visitors.

Parking is especially tight at Lighthouse Park, a favorite with families from all over Western Washington this time of year.

“We couldn’t possibly build enough parking for everybody who wants to go down there on a sunny Saturday,” Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine said. “But like any other well-used parks around the region, it will find its equilibrium.”

The city has lost some parking previously available downtown because of construction at the park and the new Rosehill Community Center.

To help address the problem, the City Council last week voted to change parking fines. Starting Wednesday, a parking infraction will set you back $40, up from $20. That’s the same as the minimum fine in Edmonds. If paid within three business days, the fine will be cut in half.

The current parking fine is hardly a deterrent, Mukilteo Police Chief Rex Caldwell said. It’s actually the opposite.

“We’ve had people tell us they’d be happy to get a $20 ticket to be able to park in the boat launch area,” Caldwell told councilmembers last week.

The chief asked council members to approve the increase to cover rising court fees and other costs. If someone contests a $20 parking ticket in court, the city will have to pay the court $36.90 to fight it.

Also at the chief’s request, the fee for parking in a fire lane is being reduced from $250 to $125, which is more in line with neighboring cities.

Ferry commuters don’t make the parking situation any easier. People often leave their cars in the park all day or overnight in the surrounding neighborhoods.

“People park in the neighborhoods, but we haven’t really given them any other options,” Councilman Kevin Stoltz said.

Commuters have the option to buy a special permit to park in designated spaces.

“It’s much cheaper to risk getting a few tickets per year than to pay your $140 permit fee,” Caldwell said.

Permit parking violations also unnecessarily tie up police officers. Trying to throw more police resources into parking enforcement is not a good option. Still, solutions must be found.

“It’s a priority in terms of trying to control the limited number of spaces and keeping people moving so they don’t get tied up, so we don’t just become another commuter parking lot for the ferry,” Caldwell said.

The commuter lot is located right behind the Diamond Knot Brewery and Alehouse.

Bob Maphet, the company’s president, would like to see the lot opened up for the public. Diamond Knot doesn’t have its own parking — there is no room — and has to rely on street parking.

“In the summertime, the park is so full that customers can’t find parking. If it’s a big boating day, the boats take up practically the entire lot,” he said. “That affects our business significantly.”

Mukilteo officials want to look into building a parking garage, maybe even in partnership with the Port of South Whidbey. Port commissioners approached city officials about potentially buying land in Mukilteo to provide overnight parking for ferry commuters, Marine said. A commissioner met with city officials last month to discuss potential options.

Council members also have talked about building a park-and-ride but no money is available now.

Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452; kyefimova@heraldnet.com.