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County extends Barnacle parking pilot for one month while contract is renegotiated
Summary
County commissioners allowed continued use of Barnacle parking devices in March while pausing the outstanding invoices and directed staff and legal counsel to draft a renegotiated, short-term agreement after sheriff testing showed the devices functioning in the field. Motion carried 5-0.
Barnacle Parking will remain in place in Franklin County for an interim period while the county and the company negotiate revised contract terms, the Board of County Commissioners decided on March 4.
The Board voted unanimously (5-0) to allow the pilot to continue on an interim basis for March while Attorney Michael Shuler and county staff work with Barnacle representatives on a revised agreement. County finance staff said earlier invoices stemming from the prior contract term would be paused while the parties finalize terms.
Why it mattered: Barnacle devices are intended to enforce parking rules at Alligator Point and St. George Island without continuously tying up sheriff’s staff. The pilot drew public attention last year after reliability and communication problems limited use during peak season. With spring break and summer tourism approaching, commissioners said they wanted a workable enforcement option available while ensuring accountability for county spending.
What officials said: Colin Heffron, Barnacle’s president, acknowledged earlier problems and said the company had retrained staff and tested equipment with sheriff’s deputies. Heffron said Barnacle would offer concessions to make up for the earlier service gap: “two to three months, completely free, effectively, or priced into the 12‑month agreement,” he told the Board.
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Major Brad Segree described in‑person tests he conducted with the devices and called the outcomes reassuring: after an initial cellular delay of roughly "15 to 18 seconds" in some spots, "we had zero issue," he said, adding that devices deployed and communicated as intended during his checks.
Board conditions and next steps: Commissioners pressed for stronger reporting and oversight. Commissioner Jessica Ward said she wanted weekly deployment and usage numbers emailed to the commission and asked to ride with deputies during peak weekend hours to see the system operate in the field. The Board asked County Attorney Shuler to prepare a short-term amendment and review any new contract language; Barnacle agreed to the pause for March and to work with county counsel.
Vote and administrative action: The motion to allow continued use in March, to pause prior billing for the earlier gap in service, and to direct staff and the county attorney to prepare a follow-up agreement passed 5-0. Further changes to device counts, drop-box locations or geographic expansion to St. George Island will be included in the new draft for the commission to approve.
The county will receive weekly or monthly usage reports from Barnacle and the sheriff’s office will continue on-the-ground testing while the county negotiates final contract terms.
