|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Post the pandemic, there are many incremental changes that will transform any community. As cities look forward, they must realize more transformation will come as they move from what they see now to what they envision for the future. West Park must use these tools available to us to find pathways, perspectives and ideas that will transform us. Moving forward we must be bold, brave and determined!
At their most basic level, budgets are about priorities. A budget must give expression to the strategy and policies of the Commission, but it must also demonstrate our ability to impact positively on the lives of our people. In short, a budget is not just about numbers, but more importantly it should be the instrument which facilitates positive change for our city.
With that in mind, this year’s budget will demonstrate our commitment to the continued growth and development for our city. This will be a smart and effective budget that respects the hard work of taxpayers, focuses on key priorities, and aligns with our shared vision of West Park…#OneWestPark.
Over the next couple of months your Commission and Staff will work out our budget for the upcoming year. Although we are proud of what we have done in the past 17 years, we know that every year comes with challenges. Coming out of a pandemic there will be some unique challenges. Despite that, we will work together for the good of our city.
Government and its leadership are constantly confronted with challenges and opportunities. I am confident that West Park will jointly meet these challenges that face us and will take full advantage of the opportunities before us. I can’t predict what direction the Commission will likely take, or how we will decide to get there. But I do know this- we’re going to have to work together more aggressively than we ever have before to continue to truly build West Park into the City of Positive Progression.
All projects and expenses have been weighed and considered for the future and will maintain and improve our quality of life while working to live within the reality of resource availability and opportunity. We must continue to devote ourselves to reshaping the way we do things in order to lay the foundation for a future that is both prosperous and sustainable.
Yes, much progress has been made. But we must continue to find ways to offer viable alternatives as we have so much more to do. We must continue to provide services and support to our residents. But we must also be prepared to do more. We must remain committed to recognizing that we’re only as strong as our weakest link, and that a community embraces its entire family, even those who need a helping hand. We have made good progress — and a good part of this field has been plowed — but we still have so much to go before all of West Park can reap the benefits of the goodwill it has sown.
We must continue to be financially sustainable as a city, because unless we are financial sustainable, we will not be able to provide our constituents with the things they want and need. The key to all of it is planning, preparation and forward thinking. Those are the steps that lead down the road to successful, sustainable progress.
If we make progress on all these things – enduring prosperity and a financially sustainable city government– then we will go a long way toward achieving our most important goal, which is to maintain and improve the quality of life of the people who live in West Park, both today and in the future.
I am committed to sustaining the important financial reforms that have instilled the stability and credibility of our City. Whatever circumstances we face, be assured that we will run this City in a fiscally responsible way and keep the pact with the public to put their interests before all others.
The Commission and I look forward to earning your support as we consider this budget in the weeks ahead. Working together, this year and in the years ahead, we will make tremendous progress toward a stronger and more vibrant community. With that being said, please join the West Park Commission and staff for the 2023 Budget public hearings. The budget debates continue to be difficult as our needs grow, but our dollars do not keep up. Your feedback and input is crucial, and these meetings, as well as your participation provide a great opportunity to not only learn how the decisions are made and how taxpayer dollars are spent, but also to have your concerns and comments considered for next year’s budget deliberations. The dates are:
Special Commission Meeting (Setting proposed millage rate, time, date of Public Hearings:
Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Resolutions establishing proposed non-ad valorem assessments:
Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at 6:00 pm
First Budget Hearing
Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Special Commission Meeting (For Non-Ad valorem Assessments Hearing):
Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Second Budget Hearing
Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at 6:00 pm
West Park truly is a city on the rise, and if we keep doing the work then the best is yet to come. I look forward to working with the Commission, Staff and you-the community at large to lay the foundation for a better future. As Mayor, I will continue to have a firm commitment not only to improve the lives of our residents, but also to assume the long-term financial viability of the municipality. My pledge to you as we go through this budget season is I will continue to do my best to be a bold, brave and determined leader and servant to all the beloved residents of the City of West Park.
Remember to contact me at City Hall with your ideas, suggestions or concerns. I represent you and appreciate your input into the continued success of our beloved city. I can be reached at (954) 329-8990 or via email at: fbrunson@cityofwestpark.org.
For more Miami news go to www.communitynewspapers.com
