Fernandina Commission Rejects Second Paid Parking Question, Leaving Ballot as is

By Mike Lednovich/Editor

FERNANDINA BEACH - The Fernandina Beach City Commission on Tuesday declined to place a companion question on the Aug. 18 ballot, opting instead to let a citizens-driven referendum on paid parking stand on its own.

The decision followed a 90-second discussion initiated by city staff, who raised the possibility of adding a city-crafted question alongside the measure already certified by a political committee backing the referendum. With election filing deadlines approaching, city staff sought clear direction from commissioners on whether to proceed.

“This is really staff’s attempt to just bring back an opportunity for the commission to discuss something that had been bounced around during the paid parking discussions,” City Manager Sarah Campbell told commissioners, referring to earlier suggestions that the city might frame its own ballot language.

That proposal quickly lost traction.

“I am not interested in adding an additional signature to the ballot,” Commissioner Genece Minshew said.

Commissioner Tim Poynter signaled agreement, and Commissioner Joyce Tuten raised concerns about both complexity and potential financial implications.

“It’s very confusing as it is. I think there’s so much going on,” Tuten said. “I think if we put another question on, it would… as much as I would like to understand how much taxpayers would endure a potential tax on a bond, I’m not — I think it’s too complicated.”

Mayor James Antun quickly counted enough opposition to declare a consensus, ending the discussion without a formal vote.

“I can count to three,” Antun said. “I think we have consensus there at least.”

The outcome means voters will see only the citizen-led referendum on the Aug. 18 ballot. The measure, driven by a grassroots petition effort, would prohibit the city from implementing paid parking in designated areas without majority voter approval and bar the installation of meters, kiosks, or similar devices absent a public vote.

The commission’s decision aligns with concerns outlined in a recent Fernandina Observer editorial that questioned whether adding a city-backed ballot question would amount to “pouring gas on the fire” of an already divisive issue. The editorial argued that introducing competing language risked confusing voters and further eroding public trust at a time when the paid parking program has become a flashpoint in local politics.

With the commission stepping back, the Aug. 18 election will serve as a direct referendum on the future of paid parking in Fernandina Beach.

City staff indicated they will proceed accordingly to meet ballot deadlines.