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Atlantic Beach seeks clearer interlocal and ordinance after Neptune Beach changes parking fees
Summary
Atlantic Beach commissioners said Neptune Beach implemented new kiosks and a holiday fee schedule without sufficient notice; the city manager will draft an ordinance for January hearings and seek an updated interlocal agreement to preserve partner review and address merchant concerns.
Atlantic Beach officials said they will seek clearer, written terms with neighboring Neptune Beach after that city installed new parking kiosks, changed software and announced a holiday fee schedule that Atlantic Beach officials say was implemented without adequate notice.
At the meeting Dec. 8, City Manager Jason Killingsworth reported that Neptune Beach plans a temporary holiday rate of $2.50 during daytime hours and $5 after 5 p.m., and that Neptune’s staff will put out a public announcement. Killingsworth told the commission he asked Neptune Beach to provide a revised interlocal agreement (ILA) reflecting those changes and said staff will file an ordinance with the commission for a first hearing in January and a second hearing later that month.
“We'll bring it forth the 1st meeting in January. The 2nd hearing will be the 2nd meeting in January,” Killingsworth said, describing the schedule for public hearings and opportunities for amendment.
Commissioners and business representatives told the commission the unilateral rollout caused confusion for merchants and residents. One commissioner said the city was effectively “blindsided” by rapid installation and that local merchants in Beaches Town Center could be harmed if Atlantic Beach does not coordinate fees with Neptune Beach.
“There's more to the story…this was simply your mayor and city manager trying to rescue what I think was a not good decision,” the chair said during the discussion, arguing for written partnership language in the ILA going forward.
Commissioners asked staff to include reciprocity options for residents and to consider matching fee windows at additional beach access points to avoid adverse selection (drivers choosing the lower-cost side). They also asked staff to document expected merchant impacts and to present a clear schedule and public outreach plan in advance of the ordinance hearings.
Policy next steps: Killingsworth said staff will draft the ordinance for the Jan. 1 hearing, return for the second hearing later that month, and — if adopted — the commission could then amend or withdraw the previously filed resolution. The commission also discussed hosting or using an upcoming town hall meeting to gather resident input on parking-hour tiers and vendor impacts.
The commission did not take a final vote on a permanent fee structure at the meeting; the change discussed was described by staff as a temporary holiday arrangement and the item will return to the dais for formal ordinance consideration and public hearings.
