I am happy that We, the People have been heard and heeded, once again. There was no proper background investigation on Republic Parking, a datum I learned through an Open Records request. Shortly after this item was rejected, Commissioners unanimouslynfired MICHAEL DAVID WANCHICK, County Administrator. It was a great day for democracy.
St. Johns County Commission votes down paid beach parking plan
By Christen Kelley
Posted Nov 19, 2019 at 4:12 PM
St. Augustine Record
The St. Johns County Commission decided to reject plans for paid parking at beach access and boat ramps Tuesday.
The paid parking system has been in the works for years as a way for the county to make some extra revenue to support beach maintenance projects.
Commissioners directed staff to move forward with the plan back in 2018, and in January 2019 they issued a request for proposal to find a company to contract with for parking services.
But in the end, commissioners said they didn’t feel comfortable charging residents to use the beaches. They voted 5-0 to reject the contract.
“I did not vote in favor of this the first time it came around, and the reason is because I had concerns about the burden we are adding to our residents,” Commissioner Jeremiah Blocker said during Tuesday’s meeting. “I think we have other means and other avenues to approach this.”
Under the proposed plan, paid parking would have started March 1, 2020, at 25 different beach and boat ramp access points throughout St. Johns County.
The proposed contract with Republic Parking System included options for an annual pass for either off-beach parking, on-beach access or a combination of the two at the following rates:
Off-Beach Parking Facilities: Daily Pass: $5.00, Annual Pass: $50.00
On-Beach Access: Daily Pass: $10.00, Annual Pass: $75.00
Combined On-Beach & Off-Beach: Annual Pass: $100.00
Boat Ramp Parking Facilities: Daily Pass: $5.00, Annual Pass: $50.00
Commissioners said they wanted to charge only out-of-county visitors for using beach facilities, but staff said it’s more complicated than it sounds.
County attorneys said they would need to make a “rational distinction” between residents and non-residents, and doing so has the potential to impact state and federal funding.
“It’s hard for me, when we start accepting federal funds for [beach] renourishment and state funds for renourishment, it’s a fine line we’re walking here in order to charge people to use the facilities,” Commissioner Paul Waldron said, adding that out-of-county visitors pay taxes as well.
Commissioners said they would like to look into other options first, including a closer look at beach-related expenses and which funds could cover them.
“If St. Johns County needs revenue... I believe that user fees are a rightful means to achieve that goal,” Commissioner Jeb Smith said. “The key to it is, do we need this revenue especially when we have a $15 million surplus? I have a real issue moving forward with something that appears not to be necessary.”
Only one person spoke during public comment during the meeting, simply to thank commissioners for rejecting the plan.
St. Augustine Beach has also been considering a paid beach parking system as a way to bring in extra revenue from tourists, but the City Commission decided to wait until the county had settled on its parking system before implementing one at St. Augustine Beach.
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