The current Seat 5 commissioner, Jim Springfield, is not seeking re-election this year. Two candidates, Matt Brown and Julie Hamlin Settle, are running in this non-partisan election that will appear on the ballot of all voters in the city in the November general election.
News4JAX sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote in their own words.
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Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.
| NON-PARTISAN CANDIDATES |
Matt Brown
Occupation: Executive Director, Common Good
Age: 43
Family: Wife Katie, kids June (13) and Rose (10).
Education: B.A. New York University (2004), J.D. New York University (2011)
Political experience: I’ve served eight years as a member of the St. Augustine Port, Waterway, and Beach District, including six years as chair.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
The top three issues facing St. Augustine right now are mobility, affordability, and liveability. For mobility, there are dozens of things the city can and should be doing, including partnering with the County to maintain satellite parking sites with shuttle service, shifting traffic patterns (especially during festivals/Nights of Lights) to push traffic out of town, improving bike infrastructure, significantly increasing the number of pedestrian crossings, rerouting the Star Circulator to make it actually useful, planting shade trees along public thoroughfares to improve walkability during summer months... the list goes on and on.
For affordability, the City should be incentivizing ADU construction (with assurances from owners to maintain the units as long-term rentals, not AirBnBs), enhancing enforcement of short-term rental violations, legalizing SROs, targeting tax relief for struggling homeowners, and exploring operational efficiences to make sure that residents’ tax dollars are well spent.
For liveability, the town needs better public spaces (our parks and plazas look threadbare) and a city government that prioritizes and facilitates cultural opportunities, programming, and small businesses that benefit residents, not tourists. A nice place to live is a nice place to visit, and the City needs to do a better job of recognizing that.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I’ve spent 15 years working in public policy, and 8 years as a local elected official. I understand what needs to get done, both at a macro- and micro- level, how to actually do it, and who to call to get it done. I grew up in St. Augustine, and recognize not only where we are now, but where we’ve come from, and as a parent raising his children here, I’ll bring a perspective that’s been missing from the City Commission for a very long time.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
St. Augustine is such a nice place to live, but with a little energy and a little gumption it could be so much nicer. I’m running because I think I can help make our town not just a nice place to live, but the NICEST place to live. I would hope that would be my legacy; a passionate and devoted son of St. Augustine who worked hard to make it a better place for everyone.
Campaign website: secure.anedot.com/matt-brown-for-st-augustine-city-commission/mattbrown4staugustine
Campaign social media: Instagram
Julie Hamlin Settle
Occupation: By day I am Marketing Manager for a local title company. Who am I kidding? I’m always networking, meeting people, solving problems, pitching in to help!
Age: 58
Family: I have a loving man in my life and 2 lovely grown children, both working and prospering right here in St. Augustine. I also have a sweet Husky dog, and 2 beautiful cats.
Education: I am a Flagler College graduate (1990) with a double major in English and Communications.
Political experience: I bring more than 35 years of experience in communications, business development, technology, real estate, and community leadership. A Flagler College graduate with degrees in English and Communication, I began her career in media with Turner Broadcasting and Turner Classic Movies before moving into corporate event management, technology infrastructure, and data center operations. I later helped families navigate homeownership through the mortgage industry and now leads marketing for Land Title of America. Throughout my career, I has worked with business owners, residents, and community leaders, building consensus, solving problems, and managing growth—experience that prepares me to serve St. Augustine with thoughtful, responsible leadership. On a side note, I have a history of politicians in my family line -- 2 city mayors and 1 vice president of the United States!
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
1. RESPONSIBLE GROWTH: Growth should be guided by infrastructure, traffic, neighborhood impact, and long-term sustainability.
2. STRONGER COMMUNICATION: Communication and transparency between city/county leaders, residents and businesses must improve to build trust and find solutions.
PRESERVING OUR CITY’S CHARACTER: At the same time, we must protect the historic identity and livability that makes St. Augustine unique.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I have no hidden agenda. I do not answer to anyone or any coalition. I want to do the hard, ugly, unglamorous work, witness the results, and hopefully see the satisfaction in the residents’ voices when I speak to them.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
The city’s budget is correctly allocated where the funds truly need to go, the city looks beautiful again, the city functions well, both residents and tourists can peacefully co-exist together.
Campaign website: www.juliesettleforcity.com