Good News in the City

I believe firmly that our city residents like to read good news, especially the good news happening in our community. Your city council’s latest action on the 2017-2018 budget contains good news on many levels.

First, the needs of our community have been met with a budget that is balanced and has no increase in utility rates and a rollback in the city millage rate so our citizen’s city tax bill will not increase.

Our mayor, council and staff are committed to efficient local government.

Second, the budget contains a well deserved five percent raise for city employees to keep our pay rate commensurate with other surrounding governments. This partially makes up for the lack of raises in past years.

Also, in the budget is new funding to invest in our downtown area including staffing of a professional Downtown Development Director and becoming an associated Main Street Community.

This investment is made to increase businesses and jobs in our community. Parks, streets and sidewalk improvements are also part of the budget.

Third, our citizens can be proud of the budget process followed by this council. The mayor and council had directed staff to present a balanced budget and only a few changes were made in the council budget meetings. The result was a unanimous vote.

Many other good things are happening in our community. A big debt of gratitude is owed to all who served on previous councils who made very tough decisions so that investments in our future can be made.

This council continues to serve in a way that recognizes the needs of the present as well as the opportunities that people with vision can usher in for the next generation.