The Emerald Isle Board of Commissioners announced they are moving forward with the proposed changes from Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Director Alesia Sanderson where the town will offer a new paid parking program for public beach access. Since 2011, visitors have only paid for parking between Friday-Sunday and on holidays going for $10 a day at the two main beach accesses, one at Western Regional Ocean Access off Islander Drive and the other at Eastern Regional Ocean Access on Emerald Drive. The town's BOC are expected to sign a one-year contract with NCParking to provide paid parking services between April 1 and Sept. 30, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the upcoming beach season. According to a release from the town, the average cost is expected to be $3 an hour with a daily maximum for parking set at $16 a day.