Candidate for City of Fernandina Beach Commission, Seat 4: Staci McMonagle
The Nassau County Chamber of Commerce recently asked each candidate running for the City of Fernandina Beach Commission to answer a candidate questionnaire that we could share with members and the community. Answers to each question have been copied and pasted exactly as they were submitted.Â
For additional information or questions, please contact the Chamber at (904) 261-3248
2026 City of Fernandina Beach Candidate Questionnaire
EXPERIENCE & LEADERSHIP
1. Why are you running for the Fernandina Beach City Commission, and what experiences have prepared you to serve?
I’m running for the Fernandina Beach City Commission because I love this community.
As a native Floridian, I’ve proudly called Fernandina Beach home for over 30 years. During that time, I’ve watched our community grow and change. Over the years, I’ve become increasingly concerned about affordability, responsible growth, and making sure residents have a stronger voice in the decisions that affect our community.
I want this community to still feel like home 20 years from now. That means making thoughtful, responsible decisions today that protect our character while keeping our city a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.
2. What do you believe are the three most significant issues facing the City over the next four years?
I believe our greatest challenge over the next four years is protecting what we have without losing who we are.
Growth is inevitable. The real challenge is making sure we don’t slowly drift away from the values, character, and sense of community that make Fernandina Beach feel like home. Every decision we make—from our budget and infrastructure to development and our historic downtown—should strengthen our community, not chip away at it.
We need to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars, maintain the infrastructure we already have, and make thoughtful decisions that put residents first. Progress doesn’t have to come at the expense of our identity.
3. What role should the City Commission play in supporting a healthy local economy while preserving Fernandina Beach's unique character?
I don’t believe a strong economy and protecting what makes Fernandina Beach special are mutually exclusive. They go hand in hand because protecting what makes Fernandina unique strengthens our local economy. Our historic downtown, neighborhoods, and natural resources are part of the reason people choose to live here, visit here, and invest here.
The Commission’s job is to provide the foundation for that success. That means being fiscally responsible, maintaining our infrastructure, making transparent decisions, and creating an environment where local businesses can succeed.
BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
4. What specific actions would you take to improve the business climate for existing businesses and entrepreneurs?
Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, and I believe the Commission’s job is to provide the foundation businesses need to thrive. I’d focus on making Fernandina Beach a place where businesses have the confidence to invest, grow, and create jobs through clear communication, transparent decision-making, and treating everyone fairly and consistently.
That means managing taxpayer dollars wisely, investing in reliable infrastructure, planning responsibly, and making sure the permitting process is efficient without compromising our neighborhoods, historic character, or natural resources.
5. How should the City balance economic development, tourism, historic preservation, infrastructure, and quality of life?
I don’t believe we have to choose between a strong economy, tourism, preservation, infrastructure, and quality of life. The key is balance and setting the right priorities.
I start by asking one simple question: Does this decision make Fernandina Beach a better place for the people who live here? If the answer is yes, we’re on the right track.
That means investing in the infrastructure we already have, protecting our historic character, supporting local businesses, welcoming tourism that respects our community, and being good stewards of taxpayer dollars.
My guiding principle is simple: Keep what we have without losing who we are.
6. What improvements would you prioritize for transportation, parking, utilities, and public infrastructure?
My priority is taking care of what we already have. That means maintaining our roads, sidewalks, stormwater systems, utilities, parks, and public facilities before taking on new projects that add more costs.
When it comes to paid parking, my position is clear: I do not support it. Fernandina Beach has long been a welcoming community, and I don’t believe paid parking reflects who we are. I believe we can find practical, balanced solutions that work for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
Every infrastructure decision should come back to three questions: Is it needed? Can we afford it? And will it improve the quality of life for residents? If the answer is yes, then it’s a worthwhile investment.
7. What is your vision for the City's relationship with organizations such as the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce, Nassau County Economic Development Board, Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau, and other community partners?
I believe the City should have strong, respectful relationships with community partners like the Chamber, the EDB, the TDC, and others. They all bring something valuable to the table.
At the same time, the Commission’s responsibility is to represent the residents of Fernandina Beach. Collaboration is important, but accountability belongs to the City Commission.
When we work well together, communicate openly, and respect different perspectives, we can strengthen our economy, preserve what makes Fernandina Beach unique, and improve the quality of life for everyone who calls this place home. I believe that’s how we move our community forward while always putting residents first.
HOUSING & WORKFORCE
8. Workforce housing continues to be one of our community's greatest challenges. What role should the City play in expanding housing opportunities while maintaining community character?
Workforce housing is one of the biggest challenges facing our community. I believe the City’s role is to encourage thoughtful housing opportunities while protecting the character of Fernandina Beach.
The reality is that our options within the city limits are limited. That’s why it’s important to follow our Comprehensive Plan, make sure infrastructure keeps pace with growth, and work with businesses, builders, Nassau County, and other community partners to explore practical solutions.
Housing affordability is about more than the cost of a home. It’s also about keeping taxes and the overall cost of living affordable through responsible budgeting and careful spending.
When local businesses can’t find employees because housing is out of reach, it affects our entire community. There isn’t a single solution, but I believe the City can be a thoughtful partner in finding practical solutions while protecting the character of Fernandina Beach
GOVERNMENT & LEADERSHIP
9. How will you ensure transparency, accessibility, and public engagement throughout your term?
To me, transparency starts with communication. Residents and business owners shouldn’t feel like they’re finding out about important decisions after they’ve already been made.
If I’m elected, I’ll do my best to share information early, make City Hall more accessible, and give residents meaningful opportunities to be heard before major decisions are made.
I currently post short videos on my Facebook page, City Commission Seat 4, where I explain my answers to the Observer’s candidate questionnaire and other important community issues. I’ll continue sharing updates this way to help keep residents informed about what’s happening at City Hall.
I believe listening is just as important as leading. That’s how we build trust and keep our community informed and engaged.
10. Earlier this year, the Fernandina Beach City Commission approved and implemented a paid-parking program for the downtown area. A citizen-initiated referendum concerning paid parking will now appear on the August 18 ballot. What is your position on paid parking, how would you respond to the outcome of the referendum?
I opposed paid parking because I don’t believe it was the right solution. I understand the City was trying to address a real financial challenge, but I believe we should first look at other responsible options before asking people to pay to park downtown.
These aren’t easy decisions, and there are no simple solutions. If voters choose to eliminate paid parking, I’ll support working with the Commission and City staff to identify responsible alternatives through careful budgeting, operating more efficiently, pursuing grants, and other lawful revenue sources.
At the end of the day, this isn’t just about parking. It’s about trust. People want to know they’re being heard, and I believe good government starts there.
11. Florida voters will consider significant property-tax reform on the November ballot that could provide additional relief to homesteaded property owners while reducing revenue available to counties and municipalities. Do you support the proposed reform? How do you believe it would affect homeowners, businesses, and local government services?
Yes, I support meaningful property tax relief for Florida homeowners. Many families have seen their property taxes rise simply because their home’s value has increased, even though their income hasn’t. Helping people stay in their homes and making homeownership more affordable is something I support.
If the voters approve this reform, our City will need to adjust. I believe that starts with living within our means, setting clear priorities, looking for ways to save money where we can, and pursuing grants before asking residents to pay more or reducing essential services.
Our first responsibility is to protect the essential services people count on every day while maintaining the infrastructure we’ve already built. I believe we can do that by making thoughtful decisions, spending responsibly, and always remembering that it’s the taxpayers who pay the bills.
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE & PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
12. Have you ever received, or do you currently receive, compensation, advertising revenue, sponsorship income, monetization revenue, consulting fees, in-kind benefits, or any other thing of value connected to online content in which you discuss local government issues, public policy matters, elected officials, candidates, or campaigns? If yes, please describe the source and nature of the compensation, the issue or candidate involved, and whether the financial relationship was publicly disclosed.
No. I have never received compensation, advertising revenue, sponsorship income, monetization revenue, consulting fees, in-kind benefits, or any other thing of value in connection with online content discussing local government, public policy, elected officials, candidates, or campaigns.
CLOSING
13. If elected, what would success look like after your first term?
To me, success after my first year isn’t about checking off a list of projects. It’s about whether we’ve started to rebuild trust in our local government.
I’d hope residents feel more informed, more included, and confident that their voices are being heard before important decisions are made. I’d like to see us living within our means and making wise budget decisions that reflect our community’s priorities.
If, after my first year, residents feel our City government is listening, communicating openly, and making thoughtful, responsible decisions, I’d consider that a strong and meaningful start.
14. Is there anything else you would like Fernandina Beach’s business community to know?
As a business owner myself, I know the decisions made at City Hall have a real impact on the people who invest in this community every day. Many of our business owners don’t live within the city limits, but they are an important part of Fernandina Beach, and their perspectives matter.
I believe strong local businesses and a high quality of life go hand in hand. My goal is to make thoughtful, common-sense decisions that support a healthy local economy.
I won’t always have every answer, but I’ll always be honest, I’ll listen, and I’ll do my best to make decisions that are in the best interest of our community.