Wildwood City Update

Exciting things are happening all throughout the City of Wildwood, and that is especially true for the Wildwood Police Department. As our community continues to grow, so does the demand for high-quality public safety services. Under the direction of Chief of Police Randy Parmer, our police department has grown to be a modern and well-respected law enforcement agency that consistently provides vital public service to the community. Our officers and civilian personnel work tirelessly every day to ensure Wildwood remains a safe, welcoming, and well-protected community where residents can live, work, and play.

Recruiting and retaining highly qualified officers is essential to maintaining the level of service our community has come to expect. In response to ongoing staffing challenges and increasing service demands, the Wildwood City Commission recently approved an increase in the starting salary for sworn officers to $68,000 annually. This salary allows the City to better recruit and retain skilled law enforcement professionals while remaining competitive with neighboring agencies. As a result of these efforts, the department has significantly reduced vacancies and added eight new sworn positions, bringing the total number of sworn officers to 68.

With the continued expansion of The Villages® into Wildwood, the City is planning for the future needs of our growing community. To better serve residents in the southern portion of the City, plans are underway for a new Wildwood Police Department Substation. The proposed 7,200+ square-foot facility will be centrally located at the intersection of Marsh Bend Trail and Central Parkway, immediately west of VPSD Fire Station 48. The City Commission approved conceptual design plans for the substation in March 2026 and authorized a formal architectural design contract in May 2026. Construction is expected to begin in the coming months, and updates will be shared with the community as the project progresses.

The dedicated men and women who make up the Wildwood Police Department work tirelessly day in and day out to protect and serve this community, and I am proud to support the department as the City Manager. More information on the Wildwood Police Department can be found on the Department’s website at www.wildwoodpolice-fl.gov or on their Facebook page, @WildwoodPoliceFL. For non-emergencies, you can reach the Wildwood Police Department by phone at 352-330-1355.

I also encourage residents to attend one of our “Mondays with the Manager” events. These informal gatherings provide an opportunity to engage directly with City leadership, share ideas, and stay informed about ongoing projects and initiatives. The next session will take place on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. at the Oxford Community Center, located at 4027 CR 106, Oxford, FL 34484.

As always, residents can stay connected by visiting the City’s website at www.wildwood-fl.gov. There, you can sign up for alerts to receive updates on road closures, news releases, and other important information. You can also subscribe to the City’s monthly newsletter, the Wildwood Connection, which highlights upcoming events, project updates, and other community news.

Sincerely,

Jason McHugh

City Manager

City of Wildwood