Councilmember details paid-parking history and revenue; says town receives no county or TDA funds for beach operations

Councilmember Harry Archer used the April 10 worksession to deliver a prepared statement tracing Atlantic Beach's paid parking program from its start in 2001 to current operations and management.

Archer said the program began in 2001 with hourly meters and that program structure evolved through pay-to-park lots, kiosks and—most recently—third-party parking management and license-plate recognition. "Residents and business owners receive free unlimited parking passes," Archer said, and he summarized pass allocations: two free passes per property owner and one (or up to three) for business owners depending on property ownership. He said anyone may purchase an unlimited season pass for $200, with Carteret County residents able to buy a pass for $150 during an April promotional period.

Archer presented historical revenue figures showing a marked increase in recent years and said that net income to the town in 2024 was $500,000 after payments to a third-party vendor; he listed a 2024 gross figure of $707,585.50. He also said Atlantic Beach receives "$0" from Carteret County and "$0" from the Tourism Development Authority for annual upkeep and operational costs of public beaches and access areas. Archer urged the town to make these facts available on the town website; Mayor Pro Tem Austin Waters agreed and suggested the town proceed with on-property work at the boardwalk and consider setting aside funding for boardwalk construction. Mayor Danny Navey suggested renaming the boardwalk to "beach access" to reduce associations with the old Circle.

Archer also reviewed historical occupancy-tax receipts and capital expenditures used in earlier access improvements and grant matches. The worksession did not include a vote on changes to parking policy or rates.