Commissioner Wildwood Seat 5

09/09/2024

Hello Family and Friends
I am planning a campaign/canvassing event on September 21st for a few hours in AM. Can I count you in?

Send a message to learn more

08/06/2024

I hope everyone fair well during the storms. Please be safe.

Wildwood Recovers from Tropical Storm Debby

Wildwood officials are continuing to assess and respond to damage caused by Tropical Storm Debby,
which brought torrents of rain before making landfall Monday morning in Florida’s Big Bend region as a
Category 1 hurricane.
“Overall, we were very fortunate,” said City Manager Jason McHugh, who brought a declaration of
local emergency to the commission on Friday in preparation for the storm. “But we did have some
neighborhoods that experienced flooding, and we are working with our emergency management
partners to assist those residents.”
The Woodlane Meadows development between Powell Road and Main Street was one area
affected, with water flowing over neighborhood streets, overtaking sections of many yards, and entering
two or more houses. City staff have reached out to homeowners to confirm interior damage details.
“Our team has been on the scene since receiving the first reports yesterday morning,” said Public
Works Director Jeremy Hockenbury, explaining the city requested assistance from Sumter County to
secure additional resources.
By noon Monday, crews had begun pumping water from the flooded area. A larger pump was
secured overnight and will speed removal of water, which was down four inches by 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Huey Street from St. Clair Street to Powell Road is closed temporarily to through traffic to facilitate the
effort.
Hockenbury noted that the Woodlane Meadows neighborhood is not an area that has experienced
significant flooding in recent years during heavy rain, while other areas of the city that typically do
accumulate water fared well compared to past storms.
As they aid residents of affected homes, officials are analyzing what occurred, including new
development on adjacent land, and where improvements are needed.
“We are scrutinizing the processes involved with recent changes in that part of the city to determine
exactly what caused this issue,” McHugh said. “As we examine every step of those procedures, we will
take whatever actions are necessary to prevent this from happening again in the future.”
Lake Deaton Park also experienced flooding and remains closed while waters recede to protect the
safety of those who enjoy the popular boating and fishing spot.

Send a message to learn more

08/02/2024

Today at 4:30pm we approved Stare of Emergency in Wildwood due to the upcoming storms which falls in line with the Governor and County commission. Please be safe

07/31/2024

Wildwood Receives Highest Opinion in Independent Audit
The City of Wildwood has received the highest opinion in its independent audit of financial
statements for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2023.
In a presentation Monday at the city’s budget workshop, Daniel Anderson from Mauldin &
Jenkins LLC, an independent audit organization, presented an overview of his team’s analysis, explaining
the unmodified opinion issued equates to a clean audit and is the highest form of assurance.
Anderson remarked on the ease of working with the city’s financial personnel, who
accommodated audit requests and needs not only promptly but cheerfully.
Cassandra Smith, Wildwood’s chief financial officer and assistant city manager, echoed the
compliment, commenting on how smoothly the process has gone throughout the city’s multi-year
contract with Mauldin & Jenkins. She commended Lynzey McClellan, Wildwood’s assistant chief financial
officer, for enthusiastically spearheading the audit over the past two years.
“We pride ourselves on accuracy and transparency,” McClellan said. “But we also recognize the
potential for mistakes and welcome the input of an independent expert. The scrutiny of such highly
trained analysts can be intimidating, but we remind ourselves it’s an opportunity to learn and improve,
which is one of our daily goals.”
Wildwood is in the midst of preparing its budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2024. Public
budget hearings are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sept. 9 and 13. Agendas will be posted at wildwood-fl.gov
no less than 72 hours in advance.

Great Job Wildwood

07/03/2024

Just a quick snapshot of some of the notable accomplishments.