The mayor of Clayton delivered remarks on the city's direction at the March 25 council meeting, saying the city's commitment to safety, strategic planning and fiscal responsibility position Clayton to pursue new opportunities.

The mayor said residential development has accelerated recently, estimating "about 300 or so new residences" added in the past three to four years and that new apartment units are roughly "98.5% full." He said home sales and apartment demand are driving interest from businesses and that recent commercial openings include Dollar General and Taco Bell, and that local firm Roadstar is nearing full operations.

Why it matters: Rising rooftops and high apartment occupancy are factors businesses evaluate before investing in new locations; council members and staff linked housing growth to economic-development prospects and future commercial interest.

The mayor also pointed to several infrastructure and regional projects. He described a Quick Trip planned in Clay Township that will extend a water line along State Route 49 with two stubs directed toward the old village of Clayton, which he said could make water service closer to northern parts of the city. He called the Hope Road widening to Route 40 "a good thing" for handling traffic as the city grows and described a shared infrastructure agreement with the city of Union and continued engagement with the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission.

On public safety and staffing the mayor praised police and fire personnel and said Clayton has been able to fill several previously vacant positions. He also said council should consider hiring a dedicated economic development director once new tax revenues take effect.

Taxes and services: The mayor noted a recently approved increase in the earned income tax from 1.5% to 2.5%, and said the additional revenue will fund city events, the street repair program and other priorities. He said the 2025 program will address around 13 streets and that council allows certain curb/driveway costs to be placed on property tax bills over five or 10 years depending on the amount.

Caterpillar and local business: The mayor described a Caterpillar automation project located inside the existing plant and said the go-live date is April 22; he said it involves robotics and "automated picking" technology and is expected to substantially increase production over the next four to five years. He also noted the new Bella Sorella build in the Villages of North Clayton and expressed confidence the project will support additional development in that area.

Regional education support: The mayor urged council and residents to support the Northmont school levy, saying Clayton's schools and the city are interdependent.

Manager and staff reports given alongside the mayor's remarks included several operational items: an Easter egg hunt scheduled for April 12 at Meadowbrook at Clayton, letters to residents about portable basketball hoops placed in the public right-of-way (citing Clayton Codified Ordinance 311.04), replacement of Meadowbrook facility blinds in the 2025 capital improvement plan and notice that a Montgomery County soil-and-water project at Hoke and Winger is slated to begin April 1 and finish by July 2025.

What council members said: Council members who spoke repeatedly stressed support for the Northmont levy and echoed praise for public-safety personnel and maintenance crews. Several council members suggested surveying residents and holding a work session to review council rules and to discuss future development proposals; staff said a work session on a Taywood/Westbrook development plan was being scheduled and the developer had requested an April 3 session at 6:30 PM.

Ending: The mayor concluded by saying Clayton has "a lot of opportunity" and encouraged continued adherence to planning documents while remaining open to updates as conditions change.