As a university community, Slippery Rock Borough’s parking situation could be chaotic if the town were lackadaisical in its enforcement of parking regulations.

The current fine of $15 for violating time restrictions on parking spaces — the borough has no parking meters — no doubt deters many violations. But a new proposal before the borough council likely would strike fear in many who have continued trying to squeeze out a few extra minutes beyond the parking time permitted — and many times being successful.

If the proposal to increase the fine by $25 — to $40 — is approved on March 5, anybody parking in the borough will want to pay much closer attention to their wristwatches.

The possible downside of implementing the bigger fine is that it could reduce this source of borough revenue over the short and long terms, negatively impacting the budget.

As occurred with the city of Butler’s debate over whether to reinstall parking meters on Main Street, Slippery Rock business owners might protest what they might see as a deterrent to attracting customers, although parking would remain free if time restrictions were obeyed.

By comparison, the fine for parking on Main Street in Butler for more than two hours is $20; the fine for an expired parking meter is $10.

Any simmering opposition to upping Slippery Rock’s parking fine likely will come to a boil at the council’s March 5 session. At that meeting, it not only will be decided whether to enact the higher fine, but whether to put in place a waiting period of 30 or more days before the higher fine is issued.

“We’re way behind in what we’re charging in our fines,” said Lucinda Lipko, borough administrator.

But if the council goes ahead with the change, it would be appropriate for the borough to erect signs at town entrances delivering the message “Parking violation? At $40, you don’t want one.”

In some smaller communities, parking fines are virtually meaningless. In those cases, the minuscule fines are perceived as a bargain when compared with a longer walking distance to a store or office.

Butler’s latest increase in parking fines seems to have lessened the number of times where two or three parking tickets could be seen on some windshields after a few hours.

In Slippery Rock, one $40 fine probably would be the last one most vehicle owners would allow themselves to receive.

The council has discussed a parking fine increase in the past, but failed to implement it. Perhaps some council members will regard the proposed action as highhandedness not befitting the community.

But as a bustling university town, Slippery Rock has potential parking challenges that Main Street-type business districts not near colleges or universities don’t encounter.

A $40 fine would send a strong message, but only the council has the power to decide whether that message would be too strong for the borough’s good.