HILLSBORO • The Hillsboro Board of Aldermen voted unanimously on Monday to install a high-tech parking meter system that will accept credit cards.

The city of about 2,800 had never charged for parking. Roughly 120 spaces on streets around the Jefferson County courthouse will be metered. Officials hope it will stop people from parking on the streets all day, even in two-hour parking zones.

Derrick Good, a partner with the Thurman Law Firm near the courthouse, told the board he was concerned about where his employees will park.

The firm's lot holds about 20 cars, and six employees must park elsewhere.

He was also concerned about how the meters could affect parking for rental properties the firm owns in the area that would be metered.

Alderman Brenda King said she had talked to many people about the meter idea.

"I have not had one objection," she said.

The parking lot behind the courthouse is county-owned and will not be affected.

Aldermen Scott Watson and John Lee were absent from the meeting. The vote was 6-0.

The city must now accept bids to choose which company will provide and monitor pay stations.

The cost could be around $45,000 to install five pay stations where drivers can use a credit or debit card to pay to park. The machines also will accept coins.

If 100 spaces were used for just four hours a day, the city would bring in $78,000 a year.

Meters in Hillsboro could by installed by March.