IRMA’S GRILL
PHOTO BY MARK DOLAN
Jason Nunemaker, 36, is the first city manager of
Fellsmere, a small but growing community in
northwestern Indian River County. During the
past decade, the city’s size has increased from one
square mile to eight square miles through annexations.
Here, Nunemaker shares his thoughts about
Fellsmere and what its future holds. He also
responds to criticism by some in Indian River
County that the community could become a “Port
St. Fellsmere,” with unbridled growth and suburban
sprawl.
Q&A
Q: What is your vision for Fellsmere?
My vision for Fellsmere encompasses the effective
implementation of the City Council’s desires as
expressed through the city’s comprehensive plan,
ordinances, our newly revised land development
code, and those issues expressed during our goalsetting
workshops and through the municipal budget
adoption process. The resulting vision is a progressive
community built on a foundation established
in the early 1900’s that will be uniquely
“Fellsmere” with an emphasis on eco-tourism, clean
industry, a vibrant downtown, a diverse housing
stock, and a fiscally sound municipal government.
Q: What do you see as the community’s most
pressing needs?
I believe our most pressing needs can be
encapsulated in one word: opportunity. We
need to increase opportunities for education,
recreation, employment. The city is
aggressively pursuing these needs
through efforts such as partnering
with the Boys & Girls Club of Indian
River County for the co-location of
a facility with the “new” City Hall;
partnering with the North
County Elementary Charter
School and Indian River County
School Board for expansion
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JASON NUNEMAKER
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