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COMMUNITY UPDATES
From the Desk of Commissioner Dr. Katrina Touchstone
It is Springtime and blooming season. We are in the first quarter of the new year and six months into the City’s fiscal year! That means that it is almost time for budget season. Overall, our revenues and expenditures are in line with the finance departments expectations for this time of the year. It is expected that the city’s insurance will be greater than expected due to increased property premiums. While, the finance department has based our initial budget on a 25% increase in premiums, the final premiums will be greater. The city’s finance department has closed the books for FY 2023 and hope to start their audit field work in March. Our city’s fund balance projection (reserves) remains at $8.4 million. This means that the city is in good financial standing.
Many residents have raised several concerns about an increase in the overall cost of living. This includes property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, rent increases, car insurance, gas, groceries as well as other essential expenses. I also share these concerns and this is why I urge the community members to get involved and voice your earnest concerns so that the city and elected officials can work together to help to find solutions. This is not to say that all of your concerns can be remedied at the city level but there are things that can be collectively advocated towards for positive changes and results.
Currently, the city has monthly free food distributions, as well as economic programs for small home repair grants, entrepreneurial initiatives, business startup initiatives, lien amnesty programs, small business grants, daycare assistance programs and tree trimming assistance programs. We are definitely making strides in areas that may help to ease the financial burdens, but I know we can do more.
My goal as your commissioner and community advocate is to seek ways and opportunities that will improve our community stakeholders’ quality of life and provide tangible solutions to meet the needs of all of our constituents. This takes teamwork and includes you and your participation in every aspect of our governmental affairs. As, one of your elected officials I feel that it is important to hear from each of you about your concerns, ideas, and ideals.
I have started the year off with doing Commissioner Dr. Touchstone’s Town Hall Meeting to not only hear from you but to also provide transparency so that residents may be armed with the knowledge to understand how things are done, why things are done, and learn how things can be done better. We have to create opportunities to create a safe space to have candid and genuine conversations to rebuild trust and confidence in our leadership to make the most positive impact for all. I am a firm believer in being a servant leader. Effective communication being open and transparent and accessible is the first step to gaining a clear understanding and provides a pathway to empowering you to hold myself and other elected officials accountable too.
