Committee approves parking management contract using license-plate recognition to boost revenue and operations

The committee recommended awarding parking management services at Hilton Head Island Airport to Elite Parking, a proposal that includes automated gates and license-plate recognition (LPR) cameras for terminal and GA lots.

The decision is significant because the county expects the new system to improve revenue capture, reduce unpaid parking, formalize long-term parking and enable remote assistance for customers.

Airport staff described the planned system: gates and LPR cameras at entry and exit points, remote monitoring from a vendor call center 24/7 that can remotely assist customers, and airport responsibility for basic gate maintenance while the vendor supplies and services its equipment. The vendor will handle most revenue collection and remit a percentage split to the airport from day one, replacing a contract structure that previously delayed revenue distribution.

John explained the rationale: uncontrolled kiosk or honor-box systems led to revenue leakage. He said the vendor will also implement management on the GA lot where longer-term parking by residents or tenants is common and will coordinate with Signature, taxis, ride-shares and employees for access and grace periods. Staff asked the vendor to include flexibility for signage, grace-period rules and the ability to reconfigure gates and equipment as the terminal construction and lot layout evolve.

Committee members asked about cash handling and system reliability. Staff said the system will accept credit and debit cards and that airport kiosks already do not accept cash; vendor responses indicated cash demand is low. The vendor is responsible for equipment failures and for field-replacement parts; the airport and vendor will maintain manual override procedures so vehicles can exit if a gate or system fails.

Members also discussed local examples and cautioned that other airports have experienced outages for reasons such as lightning strikes; staff said the selected vendor bears equipment responsibility and that the contract calls for vendor maintenance and remote monitoring.

A motion to recommend the contract award and forward it to county council for final approval passed with no recorded opposition. Staff said implementation timing depends on county council approval and procurement steps; they are working to complete approvals and installations as quickly as practical.