Longtime Wildwood Mayor Ed Wolf said he likely will seek re-election this fall to another four-year term.
Wolf, who has served in the post for nearly three decades, recently filed preliminary paperwork to run and must make a final decision by June.
When he was sworn in more than three years ago, Wolf, 71, said the current term would likely be his last. Now, he’s apparently changed his mind.
“My health is good,” he said. “I’m happy with the direction of the city.”
The mayor also said he enjoys working with city staff.
During his current term, The Villages proceeded with plans to build 17,000 homes within the city limits in the villages of Fenney and Southern Oaks. Other development has taken place along U.S. 301 and in the Oxford area at the north end. Trailwinds Village has added retail stores along County Road 466A across from Pinellas Plaza.
The city is building a new police station and has added water and sewage capacity.
When the residential developments are completed, the city is likely to at least triple its population of about 8,000.
A teacher and coach at Wildwood Middle School, Wolf joined the city commission in 1976, when Wildwood’s business depended heavily on the railroad.
Since Wolf retired from his teaching career more than a decade ago, Wildwood’s tax base has grown.