State of the city speech - 2012
Kevin Nelson, City of Emporia Mayor
Friday, February 3, 2012
The city saw a number of new initiatives during 2011. First and foremost, three new city commissioners were elected in April, Bobbi Mlynar, Rob Gilligan and Joel Phipps. Due to the budget having to be adopted by August 25, these 3 received a baptism under fire by starting the budget at their first meeting. They passed with flying colors with the budget being adopted on time. The 2012 budget meets the goals the city commission set when it did its goal setting in May. The budget in all five operating Funds include maintaining the minimum cash reserves set forth by city policy. It also includes almost $4.2 million in capital projects. The city is committed to reinvesting in its infrastructure, which is the foundation of any community. I believe the residents of Emporia understood the importance of this when they approved the 1-cent county-wide sales tax in 2008. This tax will be expiring in 2014 and the city will be forced to drastically reduce its infrastructure program if this source of revenue is not renewed.
Another goal established by the city commission is to improve partnerships in the community. The city has for years been members of many organizations in town. In 2011, the city became a member of the chamber of commerce and the Emporia Arts Council. There are many worthwhile organizations in our community that are working hard to improve the quality of life and the city wants to partner with them and help coordinate efforts where possible. Some examples where the city has helped other agencies include Emporia Main Street’s efforts to create a downtown historic district, the DK 200 bike race in June, the city participated with numerous agencies to start a broadband initiative, and the Building Futures Goal 8 Committee installing the new entrance monuments. I am pleased that this committee was selected Committee of the Year by the chamber. Some joint projects the city is working on for 2012 include providing additional parking around the Emporia Humanitarian Center (formerly Lowther South) and creating a partnership with Main Street, the chamber and the RDA on the Community Initiated Development Phase III visioning program. I believe that Emporia can best prosper by creating partnerships and sharing resources.
The city is very pleased to have an opportunity to work with the new president at Emporia State University, Dr. Michael Shonrock. The city and university are continuing to look for ways to work together to improve the university and increase on-campus enrollment. Some areas where the city and ESU have been working together for several years include using the ESU Center for Community Research, whereby the students gather data and make recommendations for ways to improve operations, thereby increasing revenue and/or decreasing expenses, the Associated Student Government community group which meets with community members to find ways to improve student and community interaction, and working with the MBA class to find ways to improve attendance at the Jones Aquatic Center and lower the subsidy for operating the pool. Some joint efforts in 2012 include the Fire Department working with the university and ASG to create a fire safety program for students. This program is designed to help students look for fire hazards and teach them what to do in the event of a fire. The city is also looking to expand its housing enforcement program and eliminate poor housing around the university, Having safe and attractive housing is one of the biggest reasons for a student’s choice when selecting a college. The city and ESU have identified this as one of the most important town-gown issues.
Speaking of housing, the city started its first serious discussion in four years on property enforcement. The city to date has spent over 225 hours gathering data and preparing possible options for improving housing. The city commission has discussed increasing the budget for demolition, eliminating blight through exterior repairs and eliminating overgrown and junk-strewn yards, and trimming or removal of dead or overgrown trees. The city commission will be meeting with interested parties in the first half of 2012 to seek input on what type of property enforcement program the city should have. I anticipate a program will start in 2012.
I would like to close by reminding our citizens that the city is busy everyday with providing the basic services. Streets are repaired in the summer and plowed in the winter. Clean and safe water comes out of the faucet and is carried away thru the sewer system. Police and fire protection are provided 24/7/365. It is due to the hard-working employees that these services are provided with no interruption. The city commission is dedicated to ensuring these services are continued to be provided in a cost-effective manner. The fact that the city has adopted its fourth budget in a row without a mill rate increase despite declining property values and second budget without a rate increase on the water bill is testimony to this commitment. I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners to continue improving our community, and I wish all Emporians a happy and prosperous 2012.