SEATTLE -- It's already a challenge to find a parking spot on a street in Seattle. But now if you do manage to find that holy grail, you might have to shell out more money to take it.

Right now, the rate is $1.50 an hour. But at a time when it seems almost everyone feels squeezed by the financial crisis, Seattle wants you to dig a little deeper for one of these spots.

The City Council is mulling over a proposal that would raise street parking fees by $0.50 to $1.00 an hour.

"Disappointment, because I don't want to pay more," said driver Mary Strasser.

But you can sure understand why the city likes the idea. Last year, it took in more than $17 million in street parking fees. If council approves the rate hike, the city could collect more than $29 million in 2010.

"I think people have to park, so I think we're just gonna have to pay," Strasser said.

The city is also considering changing some free street parking spaces in Queen Anne and Fremont to metered parking.

The city council was scheduled to take this up at their Friday meeting, but it was canceled.