Parking enforcement notices issued from April to December last year brought in £27,743.
But the price of operating the scheme saw South Holland District Council pay out £30,099 for the first three quarters.
However the previous full financial year saw a surplus of £205.
The district council employs staff to issue the penalty notices to drivers who overstay, or don’t buy a parking ticket in council-owned car parks.
For the entire financial year 2023/24, a total of £28,784 was collected. There was a £205 surplus after costs.
Figures for the first three quarters of the last financial year already see an operating deficit of £2,356.
If the final quarter of the last financial year, 2024/25, maintains the average, then a total of £36,990 will be raised from enforcements.
The figures were released following a Freedom of Information request by the Voice.
The news comes on top of figures showing the council is heading towards making £400,000 from parking fees in the next financial year, starting next month. Figures which were put before members of the council at a meeting last week reveal that during the year 2025/26, the authority will receive £405,000 from parking income.
By the end of the decade it is forecast to hit £437,000.
Parking charges are set to increase from April across the district.
The one hour option, where applicable, will rise from £1.20 to £1.30 and while parking remains free on Sunday, drivers will have to display a ticket.
