Flowbird pay stations

At tonight’s meeting, the College Park City Council will vote on approving a five-year extended maintenance agreement with Butts Ticket Systems (BTS) for the City’s new parking pay stations. This contract will ensure our parking payment infrastructure remains reliable, up-to-date, and fully supported.

Background

In April 2025, the Council approved the purchase of sixteen (16) Flowbird Strada S5 BNA multi-space parking terminals to replace older equipment that had been in use for the past 15 years. These new pay stations are designed to improve user experience, provide multiple payment options, and integrate better with modern enforcement systems.

As part of this transition, the City needs a comprehensive maintenance plan to:

  • Keep hardware and software in optimal working condition.

  • Minimize downtime for residents and visitors.

  • Avoid unplanned repair costs.

What the Agreement Covers

The proposed Extended Maintenance Agreement with BTS will:

  • Provide bi-annual preventative maintenance inspections for each pay station.

  • Include full parts and labor coverage for certain components.

  • Ensure unlimited service calls for technical issues not related to first-line maintenance (such as replacing paper or clearing jams).

  • Include software and hardware support to keep the systems updated.

  • Lock in a fixed annual rate for the next four years (2026–2029), avoiding the 10% annual increases seen in past agreements.

BTS will also provide training for City staff to perform basic “first-line” maintenance tasks like changing receipt paper, clearing jams, and replacing simple components.

Cost

The total contract value is $161,280 over five years:

  • 2025 (prorated): $26,112

  • 2026–2029: $33,792 per year

Funding will come from the Parking Enforcement “Contract Maintenance” budget.

Why It Matters

Parking pay stations are one of the most visible points of interaction between the City and visitors, shoppers, and residents. A well-maintained system:

  • Improves the reliability of parking payments.

  • Reduces frustration caused by malfunctioning machines.

  • Helps maintain compliance with parking rules.

  • Supports City revenue from parking, which in turn funds local services.

Next Steps

If the Council approves the agreement, the contract will begin upon installation of the new pay stations later this year. Residents and visitors can expect more reliable equipment and improved payment options once the system goes live.

In short: This agreement is about making sure our investment in new parking technology continues to deliver value and convenience for years to come—without surprise repair bills or prolonged downtime.