If you're a regular at Jacksonville Beach you're still going to have to pay to park there.

"The overall objective is to create the best possible parking scenario for residents, for businesses and also for visitors," says Jacksonville Beach mayor Charlie Latham

We're learning that paid parking at the beach will remain in effect after a 5-2 vote at last night's city council meeting.

Mayor Charlie Latham says things got messy when parking was free, but businesses say the paid system hurts their bottom line. Not to mention beach regulars like Michele Vonclausburg, who, like most others, would rather not pay at all.

"It kind of takes the fun out of it, you know, because the beach is supposed to be free," says Vonclausburg.

She says she and her husband come to the beach at least once a week when it's warm out, and sometimes even during the week.  She says they like to be able to just pull in, jump on their bikes, and go.

Last night's vote was the culmination of several weeks of collating feedback and hearing from local residents and businesses.

In the meantime, Jacksonville Beach will explore other options which include a pilot validation program for beach retailers.