In 2025, the Atlantic Beach Town Council plans to raise the hourly parking fee from the current $5 to $6, as suggested by several members.

Additionally, they are considering lowering the paid parking hours for the upcoming year from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. rather than 6:00 p.m.

Some locals and business owners in a town in Eastern Carolina are not thrilled with the town council's proposal to raise the hourly parking fee.

John O'Daniel, the town manager of Atlantic Beach, stated that this is merely a preliminary conversation to try to get things started so they can make the final decisions when they need to.

Not everyone, though, is pleased with the suggested modifications. The $4.00 hourly parking fee this year has already angered a lot of locals and business owners. Despite the fact that parking brought in well over $500,000 for the municipality last season, many consumers complained that it came at a cost.

This year, Sandy Oliver, a cashier at The Bite at the Box restaurant, claims that charged parking has turned away patrons. According to her, several of the patrons who visit this place ask if parking is indeed free. They say, "You know, there are a few 30-minute spaces," but they do provide their employee lot if they aren't available.

The town council is thinking about keeping 30-minute free parking places close to businesses while turning ten free spots along West Drive into paid spots. O'Daniel says they would first examine all of their choices and that nothing is finalized just yet, despite the fact that the modifications are thought to increase money for services like lifeguards and beach upkeep.

According to O'Daniel, they're going to keep working with their residents and businesses to find a fantastic opportunity for their guests to visit, as well as a parking area and a fair price. They're looking forward to working with everyone in Atlantic Beach to make that happen.

Season passes for paid parking are still $200, and O'Daniel says they have no plans to alter them. They are also considering their options with other parking companies to handle paid parking.