Last night the Fernandina Beach City Commission approved installing paid parking downtown despite significant public opposition. Two newly elected commissioners who campaigned on “no paid parking” voted for the measure. Whether campaign commitments were abandoned or votes were cast under pressure, the outcome is the same: public trust eroded and taxpayers penalized.
NassauFLDOGE’s Position
New taxes and fees should be a last resort—not the first step.
Before imposing paid parking, the Commission should have used the basic tools of good governance: independent performance audits, line-item scrutiny, process improvements, competitive procurement, and transparent metrics.
Instead, the City pulled the quickest cash lever and labeled it a “solution.”
Lazy governance raises fees; real leadership fixes inefficiency.
The good news is: The Paid Parking issue seems to have been a major wake up call for taxpayers and a rallying point for people to pay closer attention to how our local government governs.
How Residents Can Respond
- Stay engaged. Follow Commission agendas, attend meetings, and speak during public comment. Join together with other local groups who feel the same as you.
- Demand efficiency first. Ask the City to conduct an independent operational audit before any new fees take effect. Raise your hand if you believe the city can reduce waste before taxing a curb.
- Insist on transparency. Require a public accounting of true net parking revenue (after equipment, enforcement, maintenance, vendor cuts, and business impacts).
- Share what you see. Send examples of waste or inefficiency to NassauFLDOGE via our website so we can investigate.
- Vote your values. Track campaign promises versus votes—and hold officials accountable at the ballot box. If they don’t support you – you don’t support them.
NassauFLDOGE will continue advocating for efficiency, transparency, and taxpayer RESPECT.
