The Fernandina Beach City Commission’s 4–1 vote to approve a contract with One Parking, Inc. moves the city toward implementing paid parking downtown and along the waterfront.

Officials say the timing is tied to the city’s ability to borrow money for major projects without voter referendums — including flood-protection work, marina stabilization, and demolition of Brett’s Waterway Café.

Under current bonding rules, cities can pledge new revenue streams such as parking income as security for loans or revenue bonds.

Without those revenues, borrowing for large capital projects would require either voter-approved general-obligation bonds or higher property-tax rates.

That’s the underlying reason some commissioners want to put the contract in place before the 2026 ballot initiative banning paid parking can take effect.

1. 2026 Ballot Referendum – “No Paid Parking”

More than 1,700 verified signatures were certified to ban paid parking. The Commission declined to adopt the ordinance, so it will appear on the November 2026 ballot. The One Parking contract includes a termination clause if citizens overturn paid parking through a referendum.

Next steps:

Confirm the exact ballot language with the Supervisor of Elections. Organize education and outreach efforts to ensure voters understand the measure. Push the City to delay passing any paid-parking ordinance or spending funds until after the 2026 vote.

2. Recall of Commissioners

Florida Statute §100.361 allows recall of municipal officials for malfeasance, misfeasance, or neglect of duty. Organizers led by Mark Swope have discussed recalling Commissioners Tim Poynter and Genece Minshew.

Legal thresholds:

5 % of registered voters for the initial petition. 15 % for the final petition to trigger a special recall election. Officials must serve one-quarter of their term before recall petitions can begin.

Even without a formal recall, public momentum can influence future votes or delay implementation.

3. Legal or Injunction Options

Residents may petition for injunctions or declaratory relief if the City violated Sunshine Law, procurement procedures, or charter requirements when approving the contract. Action must occur before significant spending or equipment installation. A court challenge could delay or nullify the ordinance if procedural errors are proven.

4. Ethics and Transparency

Request public records for all parking-revenue forecasts, cost-benefit analyses, and correspondence with One Parking. Examine whether projected revenues align with debt-service plans or flood-control funding claims. Hold public meetings to question how parking revenue would be allocated and whether it should fund capital borrowing.

5. Delay or Amend

If paid parking moves forward, pressure the City to limit or control its impact:

Exempt local workers, marina users, and residents with passes. Require independent audits of revenue use and tourism effects. Insert a sunset clause if performance targets aren’t met. Restrict funds strictly to marina and flood-control projects, not the general fund.

Key Dates and Actions

Nov–Dec 2025: Verify petition certification and ballot language. Jan–Mar 2026: Organize citizen outreach and merchant coordination. Spring 2026: File transparency or ethics requests; review procurement compliance. Summer 2026: Launch information campaign on costs and implications. Fall 2026: Maintain pressure to postpone any ordinance until the election. Nov 2026: Citywide vote determines whether paid parking continues or is overturned.

Bottom Line

Commissioners say paid-parking revenue would help the City secure financing for downtown infrastructure without new taxes or voter-approved bonds.

Opponents argue the policy damages downtown commerce and should be decided directly by voters.

The issue remains open until a paid-parking ordinance is formally enacted — and that cannot happen without public notice and hearings.

AI Disclaimer:

This content was generated using artificial intelligence for informational purposes. It summarizes verified Florida statutes and local procedures but is not legal advice. Confirm details with the Fernandina Beach City Clerk, Supervisor of Elections, or qualified counsel before acting.