North Port city manager commits to unifying city in state of the city address

NORTH PORT – North Port City Manager Jerome Fletcher – slightly more than three months into his job – painted a hopeful picture in a state of the city address he delivered Thursday, at the North Port Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

He noted that the city is still dealing with a variety of issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic. “Despite the ups and downs we’re committed to being unified,” Fletcher said.

Like other municipalities and businesses, the city is struggling with a labor shortage, with about 70 unfilled positions, which is roughly 10% of the city’s workforce – something that is forcing current staff to do more with less.

In addition to Fletcher, who joined the city last Oct. 1, former longtime public works director Julie Bellia transitioned from acting assistant city manager to permanent assistant city manager, to join Assistant City Manager Jason Yarborough in support of Fletcher.

Alaina Ray was hired as Neighborhood Services Director.

Fletcher also noted the passing for longtime utilities director Rick Newkirk in February 2021. Newkirk first worked with North Port utilities in 1975, under General Development Corp., before joining the city.

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Fletcher touted the attraction of a 71,000-square-foot Tervis Tumbler fulfillment center in the North Port Business Park, which will bring 45 new jobs to the city.

He also talked about the plan to use $8.2 million in American Rescue Plan funds to extend water and sewer into Panacea, to attract more employers.

Fletcher cited other financial highlights, including a savings of $400,000 at the city’s new recycling center and the $1.87 million in revenue generated by Warm Mineral Springs, which had more than 136,000 visitors last year.

The North Port Aquatic Center had 75,000 visitors, with cost-cutting and scheduling efforts reducing the anticipated impact on the general fund budget by 58%.

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Fletcher reflected on the summer tragedy of the death of Gabby Petito and subsequent search for her boyfriend Brian Laundrie, whose body was later recovered in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, after an extensive search that brought international media attention to the city.

He praised both North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison for the department’s efforts and Public Information Officer Josh Taylor for handling media inquiries.

Overall, North Port’s police and fire departments saw significant increases in call volume, while the city handed out more than 10,000 reusable masks to residents, in an effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fletcher also noted that a March ribbon cutting is planned for the new public safety facility in Wellen Park, which will house police, firefighters and emergency service personnel.

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Though he never directly addressed the ongoing push by Wellen Park residents to separate from North Port, Fletcher's continued unity reference underscored a desire to keep the municipality whole.

“It is important the city finds its identity,” Fletcher said, in reiterating the unity theme. “Wellen Park is North Port.”

Earle Kimel primarily covers south Sarasota County for the Herald-Tribune and can be reached at earle.kimel@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism with a digital subscription to the Herald-Tribune.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Jerome Fletcher, North Port City Manager, talks of unified city