The Bismarck City Commission adopted the Parking Task Force's recommendation of a graduated parking ticket-fine system at its meeting Tuesday night.

According to the new scale, a first time ticket will cost violators $10, but the cost increases $10 more with each ticket within a six-month time frame, capping at $50.

Although Commissioner Sandi Tabor expressed concern that the six-month time period was too long and would target consumers rather than downtown employees parking on the streets,

Police Chief Deb Ness said she believed the time frame was already programmed into a new computer system the city will begin using to issue parking tickets and track offenders. The six months was programmed after the task force's recommendation in an effort to speed the process of getting the new equipment, which the city will begin using at the beginning of 2004.

The motion to adopt, made by Commissioner Dave Jensen, was unanimously approved.