From Controversy to Cash: Fernandina Parking Revenue Grosses $461,000

By Mike Lednovich/Editor

Fernandina Beach’s paid parking program has generated more than $461,000 in gross revenue since launch, with April hourly parking revenue running well ahead of March’s pace, according to One Parking’s latest weekly report to the city.

The report, which tracks revenue through April 21 and citation data through April 22, shows total gross revenue of $461,534.22. That includes $286,210.22 from hourly parking and $175,324 from parking permits.

The report does not include that the City of Fernandina Beach has paid approximately $67,500 to One Parking in management fees to date.

April is emerging as the strongest month so far for hourly parking. Through April 21, the city recorded 22,787 hourly transactions producing $118,005.51 in gross hourly revenue. That averages $5,619.31 per day, compared with $4,177.11 per day in March and $2,978.03 per day during the partial February launch period.

March remains the highest full-month revenue total to date, with 24,381 hourly transactions generating $129,490.29 in gross hourly revenue. February, which reflected the program’s partial launch period, produced 7,156 hourly transactions and $38,714.42 in gross hourly revenue.

The latest report also shows the city has issued an estimated 8,952 permits. That includes 7,201 city resident annual permits, 1,354 non-city resident annual passes, 246 city resident extra-vehicle permits, 89 permits for city residents living within the paid parking area, 19 non-city monthly passes and 27 whitelisted city vehicle permits. “Whitelisted vehicles” are license plates pre-approved by the city in the parking system, allowing them to park without payment or risk of citation, typically for city, police, emergency, or authorized service use.

Non-city annual passes remain the major source of permit revenue, accounting for $167,896 of the $175,324 permit total. Extra city resident vehicle permits have generated $5,904, while non-city monthly passes have produced $1,140.

The figures build on earlier Observer reporting from the program’s first week, when the city reported $100,963 in gross revenue, including $21,533 in hourly visitor revenue and $79,460 in permit revenue. At that time, the city had issued 5,016 free resident permits and 619 non-city resident permits.

Citation activity is also beginning to build. Through April 22, One Parking reported 831 citations: 469 paid, 349 issued but unpaid, and 13 in dispute. Paid citations have generated $23,642.

The report repeatedly notes that revenue figures are gross, meaning they do not reflect expenses, management fees or other deductions. The April report of net revenues is expected to be released on May 5.