Plan:
Keep the $100 price for two annual passes but make them valid in all parking spots island-wide, allowing maximum flexibility.

Why it works:

• Eliminates "pass-only" vs. "non-pass" zones, giving more flexibility.

• Reduces unnecessary circling as pass holders can park and support local businesses by hourly spots or premium areas.

Example:
Rehoboth Beach, DE, allows resident passes to be used in all municipal parking spaces during paid parking season, reducing time spent searching for specific permit zones and improving parking turnover in busy summer months.

"Universal pass access means less time circling, more time enjoying — and more support for our local shops and restaurants."

Plan:
Remove discounted all-day parking to encourage shorter stays in prime locations. 

Why it works:

• Frees up prime parking spaces multiple times a day instead of locking them up for hours.

• Eliminates below market value spots and brings parking rates to comparable values.

Example:
Newport, RI, removed low-priced all-day parking in key waterfront areas, which led to higher turnover, more availability for short-term visitors, and increased overall parking revenue without expanding lot capacity.

"The quicker a space turns over, the more people can use it — and the less traffic we have circling for parking."

Plan:
Keep the $5/hr daytime rate but consider variable rates during lower-density days and times.

Why it works:

• Encourages visitors to adjust their arrival times, easing midday congestion.

• Removes a percentage of the daytime parking crowd by giving them an incentive to consider coming during off-peak hours, spreading demand more evenly across the day.

Example:
Santa Cruz, CA, uses variable rates that drop in the late afternoon, successfully drawing some beachgoers and diners to arrive later, which reduces peak congestion during the hottest and busiest part of the day.

"A small rate change can make a big difference in when people choose to come — and when they choose to leave."

Plan:
Add digital signs on approach roads showing 'Full' or 'Spaces Available' in real time to prevent unnecessary trips into congested areas.

Why it works:

• Stops drivers from crossing the bridge only to find no spaces.

• Directs visitors to less busy lots before they reach bottlenecks.

Example:
Virginia Beach, VA, uses electronic parking lot status signs along feeder roads to direct drivers to available garages and lots, reducing unnecessary circulation and cutting down vehicle congestion in tourist-heavy corridors.

"Knowing a lot is full before crossing the bridge can keep hundreds, if not maybe thousands, of cars out of the congestion cycle on a busy day."

Plan:
Instead of a flat fine, issue penalties based on the fraction of an hour or meter time overstayed, with amounts increasing steeply for longer violations.

Why it works:

• Creates a fairer system where small overstays cost less, but major violations are heavily penalized.

• Discourages drivers from occupying spaces far past their paid time, freeing them for others.

• Helps maintain consistent turnover in high-demand areas without unfairly punishing short delays.

Example:
Coronado, CA, applies escalating fines for extended overstays in key business districts, which has improved compliance with time limits and made parking more accessible for short-term visitors.

"When fines grow with every extra minute, drivers think twice before overstaying their welcome."

Plan:
Charge the same hourly rate for all parking spaces, eliminating 'premium' and 'discount' zones. 

Why it works:

• Simplifies the parking system so drivers choose the first available spot rather than circling to find a cheaper one.

• Creates predictable revenue for the town by ensuring every space produces consistent income regardless of location, making budgeting and funding for community services more reliable year-round.

Example:
Ocean City, MD, standardized rates across its downtown parking areas, which reduced driver congestion caused by searching for lower-priced blocks and increased overall parking efficiency.

"Equal rates mean quicker decisions, less circling, and more predictable income for the town.

• Total Parking Spaces: 1,882

• Season Length: March 1 – Oct. 31 (~36 weeks, 252 days)

• Enforcement Hours: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (10 paid hours/day)

• Average Occupancy: 46% (~4.6 hours/day per spot)

• FY2023–24 Actual: Mixed $5/$6 rates, daily passes allowed, ~$8M revenue

• New Plan: All spots $5/hr, $4/hr Sun–Wed (5–7 p.m.), no daily passes

• Goal: Simplify pricing, increase turnover, improve fairness, and provide steady revenue