The annual financial statements from Wagga City Council revealed parking infringements made up nearly 90 per cent of the fines paid by local residents in the past year.

There was a total of $725,000 in fines paid to council, which also includes penalties for animal incidents, impounded vehicles, impounded trolleys and illegally dumping rubbish.

Two residents were each hit with menacing dog offences and forced to pay $1760, the most expensive fine Wagga City Council can issue.

Drivers were caught in disabled parking without a permit 231 times, with each incident resulting in a $581 fine - the most expensive parking-related penalty doled out by council.

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The total is a slight decrease from last year when $752,000 was collected in fines. However the past two years' totals were significantly higher than the three years prior, when the average was about $498,000.

According to a Wagga City Council spokesperson, this increase is due to a shortage in staffing being addressed.

"During the previous few years council experienced a shortage in ranger staffing," they said. "Council now has a full complement in ranger staffing."

The spokesperson said Wagga residents have become more obedient in recent years as the fines total used to regularly cross the $1 million mark between 2011 and 2015.

"Driver behaviour and awareness in relation to parking in the city has significantly improved over recent years," the spokesperson said.

The $725,000 collected over the past year goes towards paying rangers, processing fees and other compliance costs.

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