SOUTHPORT — The Southport Board of Aldermen voted Thursday, June 12, to table a proposed paid parking program following public opposition.
READ MORE: Petition against Southport paid parking takes off, city to table program consideration
ALSO: Southport aldermen consider potential paid parking program
Alderman Robert Carroll introduced the motion to table the item before the scheduled public hearing on the topic Thursday. The motion was passed in a 5-1 vote, with Aldermen Marc Spencer being the only member with a dissenting vote.
“We do listen to you guys, we are you guys,” Carroll said. “I’m more than happy to explain to you all that we have regular presentations from vendors about a lot of things. This just happened to be one that grew legs. So anytime you hear something do not hesitate to call me.”
In the week following a presentation from parking vendor Otto Connect, local residents and business owners organized a petition opposing the idea that has garnered 7,260 signatures. The public response led Aldermen Rebecca Kelley to propose the item be on the agenda for this week’s meeting, as it had not originally been scheduled for discussion.
Paid parking was introduced to the board by Spencer as a potential source of revenue to help fund the city’s capital projects such as stormwater enhancements, shoreline stabilization and infrastructure needs. The idea of implementing paid parking sparked the most public interest following a presentation that was given to the board by Otto Connect during their June 2 meeting.
Mayor Rich Alt told residents at the meeting that while he wasn’t personally thrilled with the idea of paid parking, the board needs more ideas on how to raise additional revenue outside of ad valorem taxes. He additionally said that he would be happy to hear public input on the issue.
“I welcome all of you to entertain and bring to us your ideas of how we’re going to pay for some of our future endeavors,” he said.
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