I have a passion for city management and the
city of Fellsmere offered a unique opportunity
to make a difference. I have been honored to
serve as the city’s first manager.
opportunities; coordinating with Indian River County on the
acquisition and preservation of open space; utilizing progressive
1
measures to attract employment bases by leveraging the
private market not through subsidies; and, effectively using
annexation to address these issues.
Q: What are Fellsmere’s attributes as a place to live and
work?
Fellsmere offers the best of both worlds with a small-town
atmosphere, unique historic downtown, and open spaces
while still offering proximity to major urban areas via I-95,
State Road 60, and the Florida Turnpike. The city will also
offer a truly “live, work, and play” opportunity with the
pending quality developments.
Q: During the past decade, Fellsmere’s land size has
increased from one square mile to eight square miles. What
do you see as the town’s population at buildout?
Currently we are projecting buildout at approximately
20,000 to 25,000. This number could fluctuate due to market
conditions, regulatory conditions, and annexations.
Q: There has been criticism of your annexation policies
from the Indian River Neighborhood Association and
County Commissioner Gary Wheeler. How do you respond
to criticism of the city’s planning and development practices?
Unfortunately the response has been a visceral one that
has impeded an authentic discourse based on facts. It is
imperative that residents of the region understand that
Fellsmere shall preserve its unique character while pursuing
opportunities for its myriad stakeholders. The city council
updated the comprehensive plan, as of Jan. 1 of this year, so
that no future annexations will exceed three dwelling units
per acre. This is far more conservative than statements that
have been made at various public forums. Another issue that
does not get publicized vis-à-vis our annexations is the
numerous extractions that are obtained through the process.
These extractions include not only right of way, open space,
infrastructure, affordable housing and other municipal concerns
but also right of way for the county. That said, the concerns
expressed by IRNA are not without merit. If we could
focus on areas of agreement, I think we would find that as a
community we have more shared values than we thought.
It is my hope that through dialogue this will become apparent.
Q: Why did you come to Fellsmere?
After spending some time in the private sector I found it
monetarily rewarding but ultimately unfulfilling. I have a
passion for city management and the city of Fellsmere
offered a unique opportunity to make a difference. I have
been honored to serve as the city’s first manager.
Q: What do you expect to be doing in five years? Ten
years?
Having been married only a short time I have already
learned that this is a question that probably should be
directed to my wife. That said, I look to having participated
in Fellsmere’s 100th birthday party in the next five years and
perhaps looking at some teaching opportunities in ten to fifteen
years.
Q: What do you treasure the most?
Family.
Q: What inspires you?
I feel inspired by participating in the governmental
process.
Name: Jason R. Nunemaker
Job: City Manager
Age: 36
Education: B.A. and M.P.A. from James Madison
University. Pursuing Ph.D. in public administration from
Florida Atlantic University.
Hobbies: Sport shooting, movies, politics, philosophy, drag
racing, autocross, motorcycling, fishing, working out.
IRMA’S GRILL
GRAPHIC BY ERIC ZELINSKI