Landmark Vote: Commission backs Paid Parking

Fernandina Beach’s historic downtown is set to introduce paid parking after a tense city commission vote Tuesday night, where commissioners voted 4–1 to move forward with the plan despite widespread public pushback.

The commission selected One Parking, a Florida-based operator, to negotiate a contract for managing the new system. Alongside the vendor decision, commissioners directed staff to draft an enforcement ordinance and to form a public task force to address rollout details and community concerns.

City Manager Sarah Campbell told commissioners the move was unavoidable given the city’s infrastructure needs.

“All of these three major projects have come to a head simultaneously… this is not something that the $44 million general fund could absorb without severely eliminating city services,” Campbell said, referring to the seawall, Brett’s demolition, and downtown infrastructure overhaul.

Commissioner Joyce Tuten, who voted in favor, said she struggled with the decision but saw no alternative.

“We need a really big bond — like $20 to $30 million — and that bond has costs. We either attach that as a tax… or we find alternative revenue,” she said. “Paid parking is a user fee that keeps the burden off the taxpayers.”

Commissioner Genece Minshew echoed that view: “There are three solutions: we can do paid parking, we can increase taxes, or we can do nothing and let it just fail. I don’t want to let it fail and I don’t want to increase your taxes,” she said.

Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue, the lone dissenting vote, said he could not support the plan.

“This is overwhelmingly unpopular with the citizens — it’s not even close. This is an 80–20 issue,” he said. “At some point you’re elected to do the will of the people, and when they’re telling you they don’t want this, you have to listen.”

As the meeting took place, volunteers of Citizens for No Paid Parking were collecting petitions across the street from city hall at the Boat House Restaurant. Support Paul Lore told commissioners the group had 750 of the necessary 1,100 petitions to have the paid parking issue placed on a ballot for voters to decide.

Residents and business owners lined up to criticize the plan, citing concerns about downtown’s character, accessibility, and technical headaches.

Julie Ferreira, a longtime resident, warned of neighborhood spillover and ticketing nightmares:

“I don’t think we know nor are we prepared for all of the unknowns… I don’t think that’s the community we want to be — people going to the library for 12 minutes and getting a $45 ticket two weeks later.”

Kimberly Aspinwall, who has owned Amelia Linen and Wood, a downtown business for eight years, said paid parking would erode what makes Fernandina special. “It’s going to take away that complete welcoming charm that we’ve had… I really wish you would reconsider and pay attention to what the business owners and residents feel.”

Pastor Dawn Mays of First Presbyterian Church said the policy would hurt churches and their elderly members.

“One of our elderly members told me she cannot afford to pay to park, she cannot walk the distance to free parking, so she said, ‘I just won’t be able to come.’”

Others were more pointed. Joseph Mays, a downtown resident, accused commissioners of breaking trust: “Despite overwhelming opposition from our community you continue to push forward… That’s not leadership, that’s arrogance.”

A handful of speakers backed the move, saying the city could no longer delay infrastructure repairs.

Resident Richard Deem said, “I don’t think paid parking was anybody’s first choice, but there comes a time when you can’t just say the money is there. Just saying no is not a good strategy.”

Mike Sharp added that fears of downtown collapse were overblown: “People are not going to abandon our downtown overpaying a few dollars to park. If you’re a city resident, you probably won’t pay anything.”

Commissioners emphasized that residents would park free under the plan, while visitors will pay demand-based rates. Annual passes will also be available for non-residents at about $100.

The next steps include negotiating final contract terms with One Parking, drafting an enforcement ordinance, amending the budget, and forming a stakeholder task force to help guide implementation and adjustments.

Despite the public backlash, Commissioner Tim Poynter said the decision was about long-term survival: “Sometimes you have to make a decision that’s not necessarily popular. Parking is not free — our citizens are already paying for it. This is about helping the community take care of itself.”

Paid Parking Zone outlined in red