Commissioner Genece Minshew, once one of the program's strongest defenders, cast the deciding vote Tuesday to block a last-ditch effort to revive it. The Fernandina Beach City Commission voted 2-2 on a motion to reconsider its Aug. 19 decision to terminate the One Parking contract, and the tie killed the motion, the Fernandina Observer reported.

Poynter Sought a 'Fresh Discussion' After Reversing Course

The reversal came from Commissioner Tim Poynter, who had made the original motion to end paid parking two weeks earlier. Poynter called that vote a "knee-jerk reaction" and asked the commission to put the termination back on a future agenda for a fresh discussion.

Commissioner Joyce Tuten seconded the motion. Minshew and Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue voted no. Mayor James Antun, a paid parking supporter, was absent because of illness.

Minshew: 'The Community Has Spoken'

"I'm going to vote no on this motion to reconsider because I consider this done," Minshew said. "For me, paid parking is a done issue because the community has spoken."

Both Commissioners Had Faced a Recall Effort Over Their Support

Poynter and Minshew had both championed paid parking as a way to collect visitor dollars for downtown and waterfront infrastructure. Their support made them targets of an unsuccessful recall effort earlier in 2026.

Referendum Forced the Original Termination Vote

But after roughly 75% of voters approved a citizen-initiated ordinance on Aug. 18 requiring voter approval before the city implements paid parking, Poynter moved at the following day's commission meeting to terminate the program. That motion passed 4-1.

Under commission rules, only a commissioner who voted with the prevailing side can move for reconsideration at the next meeting. Poynter qualified. A successful vote would not have reinstated paid parking immediately. It would have placed the question on the next properly advertised agenda.

Minshew Cites Budget Items Funded by Parking Revenue

Minshew acknowledged that ending the program means walking away from more than $1 million in projected annual revenue. She cited specific budget items at risk: $457,000 for city youth programs, $135,000 for a new bus serving those programs and $355,000 set aside toward a possible purchase of the Ybor Alvarez Sports Complex property from the Federal Aviation Administration.

She said the city needed to move forward with its budget and prepare for the possible financial effects of Amendment 3, a statewide constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would increase the homestead exemption.

Public Comment Reflected a Divide Over Reconsideration

During public comment, resident Roger Martin said the city's infrastructure needs did not make paid parking the right answer. He urged supporters of the program to make their case at the ballot box rather than through the commission.

A downtown business owner, Veronica Byrnes, supported reconsideration, saying she had not seen a decline in business from paid parking and feared losing the revenue would raise property taxes.

Vice Mayor Ayscue said he could not support reopening the debate. He acknowledged the Aug. 18 referendum did not itself terminate the existing program but said the commission's own votes settled the matter.

Contract Termination Stands, Program Winds Down by Nov. 18

With the motion dead, the One Parking contract termination stands. Paid parking will continue under existing rules until the contract ends Nov. 18. The city must pay up to $33,150 in combined salary obligations to wind down the contract.

Commission Turns to Budget Hearings This Week

The City Commission holds a special meeting and public hearing Thursday at 5 p.m. to review a proposed 2026-27 operating millage rate of 4.8530 mills, which is 9.24% above the rollback rate. A final public hearing on the millage rate and budget is scheduled for Sept. 15 at 5:05 p.m.