About 20 percent of cars parked in two-hour spaces, the study estimated, overstay the limits, some staying four hours or longer.

In addition to a $2.1 million fiscal 2008 surplus, of which much will be used to help the city stay afloat in the feeble economy, the city had an additional $3.6 million in unspent funds from city departments.

City departments will soon be put under the efficiency microscope, but Charlottesville councilors have varying opinions on how far the examination should go.