Growth, disagreement and our shared future

Published on September 21, 2026

North Port is a community that continues to grow and change. With that growth comes opportunity, but it also brings questions, concerns and, at times, strong disagreement about the direction of our city.

I believe it is important to recognize that disagreement is not a weakness of a community. It is an encouraging sign that our residents are passionate about our city. People bring different experiences, priorities and visions for what they want North Port to be. Some may welcome new development, more shopping and entertainment options and different housing types, while others may be concerned about traffic, infrastructure, the environment or the pace of change. All of these perspectives deserve to be heard.

As City Manager, I do not believe our responsibility is to make every resident agree with every decision. Our responsibility is to ensure decisions are made thoughtfully, responsibly and in the best interest of the community.

That begins with understanding what we can control—and what we cannot.

We cannot control every factor contributing to North Port's growth. We cannot control every private property decision or market condition. But we can control how we plan for the future, manage City resources, invest in infrastructure and services and communicate with residents.

Growth requires us to think beyond the immediate moment. It means considering whether our roads, utilities, public safety services and other community resources are prepared for future needs. It also means recognizing that planning for growth does not mean every proposed project is automatically the right fit for North Port. Each decision must be evaluated carefully, with the City's regulations, state laws, infrastructure needs and long-term interests in mind.

These decisions will not always satisfy everyone. But we can commit to a process that is transparent, informed and respectful of the people who call North Port home.

That includes listening to residents, answering questions and making room for perspectives that challenge our assumptions. Public participation is not simply about hearing from those who agree with us; it is about understanding the concerns of our entire community.

I also want to recognize the City employees who work every day to help North Port navigate these challenges. From planning and engineering to public safety, utilities and public works, our employees turn plans into action and provide services our community depends on. Their work requires dedication, professionalism and a commitment to serving everyone fairly.

North Port's future belongs to all of us. It belongs to long-term residents, new families, local businesses and the generations who will come after us.

We may not always agree on what that future should look like. But we can agree that it deserves thoughtful planning, responsible leadership and an ongoing commitment to serving the community.

As North Port continues to grow, my commitment is to focus on what we can control: preparing for the future, managing resources responsibly, supporting our employees and ensuring residents have opportunities to be informed and heard.

Progress is not defined by the absence of disagreement. It is defined by our ability to work through differences, make informed decisions and continue moving forward together.

That is the responsibility we share, and it is the work we will continue to do for North Port.

Jerome Fletcher is the North Port City Manager. He can be reached at jfletcher@NorthPortFL.gov.