Fernandina Beach commissioners rescind paid parking contract

After all the research, furor, energy, debate, implementation, and finally a rejection at the ballot box disputing the program’s existence, paid parking is set to be no more.

Commissioners approved scrapping the controversial program Wednesday night with a 4-1 vote after about an hour of discussion.

During the 2026 Primary Election, voters overwhelmingly rejected paid parking by a margin of 74.9% (4,168 votes) to 25.1% (1,397 votes). Commissioner Genece Minshew addressed the packed room at City Hall first, stating that the response from voters and its well-funded opposition justified ending the program.

“So now, the campaign is over, the election is over and paid parking needs to be over,” she said. “Tonight, I’m formally asking the city manager to take whatever steps are necessary to terminate our contract with One Parking at the earliest legal date legally permitted.”

Minshew also said she wanted staff to bring back language similar to the ballot question in an ordinance that is clear and enforceable. She added that the city’s slate of projects must be funded, and she advocated for a downtown taxing district.

“Voting against paid parking does not make our bills disappear,” Minshew said. “It does not repair our downtown streets. It does not replace our infrastructure. It does not fund our waterfront and it does erase the approximately $1.5 million in parking revenue that we anticipated using … those needs are still there.”

Commissioners Tim Poynter and Joyce Tuten said paid parking worked due to the revenue it generated and how it didn’t place a burden on residents. Poynter said it required workers to park elsewhere, leading to more spaces for residents. The city is walking away from $100,000 a month in revenue the city needs, he said, largely from visitors.

“So as I understand this vote, the citizens say, ‘It’s all on us,’” Poynter said. “Who’s got to pay this bill? Bills don’t go away. It’s all on us.”

Tuten was the lone dissenting vote to pull out of the contract, stating she was “very concerned,” didn’t want to vote on something as soon as Wednesday’s meeting and that she needed more information from staff. She mentioned several of the commission’s 5-0 votes to approve projects.

Tuten referred to the city’s proposed tentative millage rate of 4.8530 approved last month. Though the rate can be lowered later, commissioners chose the highest of four rates recommended by staff to make up for a potential shortfall of $1.5 million of paid parking revenue set for the $12.5 million marina redevelopment project.

“Are we just going to take the easy route, go to that and stay at that higher millage?” Tuten said, addressing staff.

The whole process was a “mess” the commission created, Vice-Mayor Darron Ayscue said. The Seat 5 commissioner has long been opposed to the program and was usually on the end of 4-1 votes relating to it. 

He noted the high petition numbers acquired in a short amount of time, and said he didn’t feel sorry for the commissioners because they didn’t listen to residents. He accused the commissioners of “playing games” with the issue and said it was obvious it would get “throttled” at the ballot box. 

“It just got pushed through without any kind of regard for all the signs that were there,” Ayscue said. “And then we turn around and now we’re going to say, ‘Where are we going to get the money?’ We created this boondoggle. We did it. This commission did this. So, I don’t feel sorry for us at all. I don’t feel sorry in any way, shape or form.”

Ayscue joked the city could sell the signs on eBay. 

“Put them on the auction the same way we did the Brett’s sign, and I promise you we’ll at least recoup some of the money,” he said.

He was met by a fierce response from commissioners, with Mayor James Antun saying Ayscue was “grandstanding” and called Ayscue’s comments “nothing short of obnoxious.” Antun said no one was asking for sympathy.

After several months of discussion and resident outcry, the program was implemented in February, and enforcement began in March.

To read more about the meeting’s events, see Friday’s edition of the News-Leader.