St. Pete Beach commissioners are considering several changes to the city’s parking system, including higher hourly rates.

ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — Parking could soon cost more in St. Pete Beach as city leaders weigh several changes to the city’s paid parking system in an effort to increase revenue and manage demand in one of the region’s busiest beach areas.

Amy Loughery, who has lived in St. Pete Beach for 50 years and owns Bamboozle on 8th Avenue, says parking has become more difficult as more people visit the beach.

“I do think the increases are needed,” Loughery said. “I think it’s a little bit of supply and demand. We’ve gotten ourselves into a pickle with traffic down here so something has to be done.”

The city is now considering several changes to its parking system.

One proposal discussed at this week’s City Commission meeting would raise hourly rates to $5 on weekdays and $6 on weekends, with Fridays counted as weekend rates. Additional $1 increases would apply during sunset hours from 4 to 8 p.m. and another $1 per hour during peak season from February 1 through April 30.

Holiday parking could also increase from a flat rate of $25 a day to $40.

“Parking isn’t just a revenue generator, it’s also trying to turnover those parking spaces which can benefit businesses by getting more people out here,” a city official said during the meeting.

The proposal also includes passing the 3% credit card transaction fee to customers.

If all the changes are implemented, the city estimates the system could generate about $1.7 million a year.

Loughery says she supports higher hourly rates but opposes the potential holiday fee increase.

“I think there’s plenty of people that come out to swim for a couple of hours and would like to pay the meter by the hour,” she said. “Don’t need to be paying $30 or $40 for a quick swim or $30 or $40 for breakfast or $30 or $40 to shop in a retail shop on a holiday weekend.”

City leaders say improving enforcement will also be key. Officials noted the city had struggled to fill enforcement positions but is now fully staffed.

“In some cases where I’ve heard a lack of enforcement, I’m hopeful that will pick up now that we’re full staffed and we’re looking at technology advancements so we can maximize our enforcement efforts,” a city official said.

Loughery says enforcement will be critical to making the system work, especially in areas intended for local businesses.

“9th Avenue should be free for restaurants and shops and I think it should be enforced,” Loughery said. “It basically gets parked out with beachgoers, even though it says no beach parking simply because it’s not enforced.”

The commission will take up the issue again at its March 24 meeting.