Commission approves new parking software contract; ParkMobile will remain available

The City Commission unanimously approved a three‑year, approximately $1.5 million contract to replace and expand the city's parking management software on Jan. 6. Staff told the commission the new system will integrate on‑street pay stations, produce additional online services and replace some manual processes, but the ParkMobile app currently used by many parkers will remain available.

"So we will still have the ParkMobile app," staff said during the discussion after the item was pulled by Vice Mayor Trice to allow questions. "So this will be a second app for the city." Commissioners asked about costs, implementation and whether the contract creates long‑term savings. Staff said implementation costs are front‑loaded (an implementation estimate of about $135,000 was discussed) and that subsequent renewal costs would likely be lower and tied to inflation because the initial year includes setup and infrastructure costs.

Staff listed additional services the new software will provide: automated license‑plate checks to reduce erroneous citation entries, virtual chalking that removes the need for manual tire chalking in timed zones, online permit sales and management (deactivation/cancellation online) and integration with the city's Workday finance system to automate revenue upload from pay stations and garages. There is no immediate direct line‑item cost saving projected, staff said, but they expect savings in staff time and fewer corrections for incorrect citations.

Commissioner Marie Herncock asked about whether the multi‑year price would repeat on renewal; staff said renewal pricing would likely be lower because implementation costs are higher in year one and are being spread over two years.

The motion to approve item 6.6 was moved and seconded; the commission voted unanimously to approve the contract and implementation plan.