This year, two seats on the Fernandina Beach City Commission are up for election, Seat 4 and Seat 5. Incumbent Seat 5 commissioner Darron Ayscue was the only candidate to qualify in that race and is automatically re-elected. The incumbent Seat 4 commissioner, James Antun, is not seeking re-election. There are three candidates who qualified for the race: Scott inglis, Len Kreger, and Staci McMonagle. The race is non-partisan, and will appear on the ballots of all Fernandina Beach voters for the August primary. If no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, the top two will advance to the November general election.
Fernandina Beach voters will also choose a new mayor, between two current commissioners: Genece Minshew and Timothy Poynter. With only two candidates qualified, that race will only appear on the general election ballot in November.
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In addition, Fernandina Beach voters will see a ballot question on the Aug. 18 primary ballot, regarding paid parking in the city. The paid parking program, which started in February, charges drivers $2 per hour in some parts of downtown Fernandina Beach. The citizen initiative ordinance seeks to block paid parking, but even if it’s approved, city commissioners could potentially overturn it with a supermajority vote of four out of five commissioners.
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.
Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.
| SEAT 4 CANDIDATES |
Scott Inglis
Occupation: Recently Retired as a electric bike mechanic. Served 20 years in the US Navy.
Age: 58
Family: My Wife of 33 years, Lisa Inglis
Education: A. S. Degree, Radiology with Honors, Florida State College at Jacksonville 2017
Political experience: None
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
The three things I hear about over and over are trust in City Hall, growth and infrastructure, and how we’re spending taxpayer money.
A lot of people feel like they’re not being heard. Whether it’s paid parking, development, traffic, or major city projects, too many residents believe the decision has already been made before they ever get a chance to speak. That’s got to change.
Growth is coming whether we like it or not, but we can decide whether we stay ahead of it or let it run us over. Roads, drainage, flooding, and public safety have to come first. If we don’t keep up with infrastructure, we’re just handing the next generation a bigger bill.
And finally, I think we owe it to taxpayers to spend their money like it’s our own. Before we talk about raising taxes, we need to know where every dollar is going and whether we’re getting our money’s worth.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I’m not going to tell you I’m the only person who cares about this city, because I think everybody running does.
What I bring is a lifetime of solving problems.
I spent 20 years in the Navy fixing equipment that couldn’t afford to fail. Since then I’ve worked as a mechanic, managed volunteers, chaired the Shrimp Festival for the past 3 years, and spent years working with people from every walk of life.
I’ve learned that the best decisions come from asking questions, listening, and doing your homework—not pretending you’re the smartest person in the room.
I’m not looking for a political career. I’m looking for an opportunity to serve the city that’s been home to my wife and me for over 24 years, In fact we met and got married here 33 years ago.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Honestly, I hope people remember that I did exactly what I told them I was going to do.
I’d like people to say I listened, I was accessible, I returned phone calls, and I made decisions based on what was best for Fernandina Beach—not politics and not special interests.
If we leave our infrastructure in better shape, improve trust in City Hall, protect the character of our community, and make government a little more open than when I got there, I’ll feel like I did my job.
Campaign website: www.votescottinglis.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
Len Kreger
Occupation: Retired.
Currently serving on the Non-Profit Organization Boards of First Affordable Housing, Community Land Trust of Nassau County and America’s Youth
Age: 84
Family: Widower
3 Sons, 1 Daughter, 74 Grandchildren, 3 Great Grandchildren
Education: AA Palomar College San Marcos California
Psychology, Chapman College, Orange California
Political experience: 7 Years Fernandina Beach City Commissioner, Termed Out 2022
6 Years Fernandina Beach Planning Advisory Board
5 Years Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council
Served on Nassau County Code Enforcement Board, Affordable Housing Committee, Fernandina Beach Sustainable Fernandina Committee, currently serving on the Fernandina Beach Board of Adjustments
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
A major issued in this election is the Paid Parking issue in downtown Fernandina. This has resulted in dividing the Community. The paid parking referendum will not require roll back of the plan but prohibit future paid parking without passage of a referendum.
The real issue which is related to paid parking is the ability and requirement of the city to continue to provide both operations, police, fire and infrastructure along with required capital improvements necessary to provide a safe environment and meet our established ”Quality of Life.“
This is a Leadership, management and Funding issue
Related is the potential passage of the Homestead tax referendum in November. If pass this will result in a 16% reduction in the city revenue.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
Significant experience with a proven record along with a understanding of how to effectively work effectively with both sides of an issue.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Providing the Leadership to keep Fernandina Beach a Quality Community.
Campaign website: lenkreger.com
Campaign social media: None
Staci McMonagle
Occupation: Home health business owner.
CNA Care Service LLC
Age: 65
Family: I have two daughters, one son, and two grandchildren. We’re fortunate that they all still call Nassau County home.
Education: Montreat-Anderson College, North Carolina
Florida Community College at Jacksonville
Political experience: Ran four years ago here in Fernandina for City Commissioner Seat 5
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
My top three priorities are infrastructure, fiscal responsibility, and responsible growth. We need to maintain the infrastructure we already have, spend taxpayer dollars wisely, and ensure growth keeps pace with our roads, utilities, and public services while protecting the quality of life that makes Fernandina Beach a great place to live.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I’ve managed a law office, spent many years working in hospitality and tourism, and now own a small business. Those experiences taught me how to listen, balance competing interests, solve problems, and treat people with respect. I think those experiences have prepared me well for this job.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope people would say I kept my promises, treated everyone with respect, and made decisions based on what was best for Fernandina Beach. If, after my time on the commission, our city is on firmer financial footing, we’re making progress on our infrastructure, and people feel they can trust their local government again, I would consider that a job well done.
Campaign website: www.fernandinafirst.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
| MAYORAL CANDIDATES |
News4JAX will be gathering questionnaire answers from candidates Genece Minshew and Timothy Poynter at a later time, and add their responses here, before voting begins for the general election.
| CITIZEN INITIATIVE ORDINANCE - PAID PARKING |
In 2025, Fernandina Beach city commissioners began discussing a proposal to implement paid parking in the historic downtown district. Members of the community pushed back on the idea, with some gathering signatures to support a ballot initiative on the idea as far back as August of last year. In October, the commission rejected an ordinance that aimed to ban the parking fees, even though it was brought to them through a petition signed by more than 1,700 people. Since the ordinance to ban paid parking did not pass, the parking fees began in February, and the ballot question was placed on the August primary ballot. It will appear for all Fernandina Beach voters.
Ballot question (yes or no vote):
The City of Fernandina Beach shall not implement paid parking in any designated area, defined as all areas within the City, without majority approval (50% plus one) vote from a public referendum of registered City voters. This ordinance does not prohibit the City from implementing temporary parking measures during special events. Such measures require public notice at such time a special permit is issued and not last longer than 30 days.