Inglis wins Fernandina Beach City Commission seat

By Mike Lednovich/Editor

FERNANDINA BEACH - Scott Inglis won election to the Fernandina Beach City Commission on Tuesday, defeating former Vice Mayor Len Kreger and Staci McMonagle in the three-candidate race for Seat 4.

Inglis received 2,535 votes, or 51.3%. Kreger received 1,209 votes, or 24.5%, while McMonagle received 1,189 votes, or 24%.

Inglis’ majority allowed him to win the seat outright and avoid a runoff in the Nov. 3 general election.

Inglis will succeed Commissioner James Antun, who did not seek re-election.

A retired 20-year Navy veteran, Inglis has lived in his Fernandina Beach home since 2002. His career has included work as a mechanic, electrician, engineering technician, government inspector, shipbuilding specialist and X-ray technologist.

Inglis has also served for the past three years as chairman of the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival. He is active in the Fernandina Beach Shrine Club and American Legion Post 54 and previously volunteered with the Nassau County Dive Rescue Team.

He campaigned as a political newcomer offering what he described as practical, community-based leadership.

Among his campaign priorities were controlling city project costs, improving roads and street lighting throughout the city, upgrading parks, protecting the waterfront and strengthening cooperation with Nassau County on growth, traffic and transportation.

Inglis opposed paid parking and said during the campaign that voters should decide its future. He also said that if paid parking continued, the revenue should remain with the city and fund infrastructure and other projects benefiting residents beyond downtown.

On the waterfront, Inglis advocated completing seawall improvements in phases instead of relying on a large bond issue. He also supported creating a public gathering and sunset-viewing area near the city marina after the demolition of Brett’s Waterway Café and returning marina management to the city.

The Seat 4 campaign unfolded as Fernandina Beach confronted major financial and policy decisions, including the future of paid parking, marina redevelopment, downtown infrastructure, flood protection, recreation needs and the potential loss of property-tax revenue if Florida voters expand the homestead exemption.

Inglis will join a five-member commission that must address those issues while balancing demands for additional services and capital projects against the city’s limited financial resources.

Voter turnout in the city election saw 4,933 ballots cast among 7,100 registered voters.

Inglis is scheduled to take office in November.