Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Mayoral Address topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hastings mayor delivers ‘‘state of the city’’ address, prioritizes budget discipline, housing growth and accessibility
Summary
In his first 80 days, the mayor told the council he has directed budget reviews that he says saved about $350,000, proposed steady population growth and prioritized streamlined permitting, accountability and accessibility for residents.
The mayor delivered a State of the City address to the Hastings City Council, outlining priorities the administration will pursue during the first four years, including budget reductions, housing growth, streamlined permitting and increased accessibility to city leadership and staff.
The mayor framed the remarks as a transparency initiative and said he has spent his first 80 days meeting staff, boards and citizens to learn city operations. He told the council, "I promised everybody during my campaign that I would be very transparent with the citizen" and said he intends to give citizens a clear view of the administration's direction.
On budget and staffing, the mayor said the city has begun early budget work and conversations with staff about cuts to reduce the tax burden without eliminating positions through immediate layoffs. He said reductions will come through attrition, promotion and restructuring and that staff and council have started the budget process in April to allow ample time for changes. The mayor said, "Through this process, in the first 80 days of my administration, we have saved the taxpayer over $350,000." He added he has no intention of eliminating anyone's job immediately.
On growth, the mayor proposed a target of sustained population growth of at least 1% per year (approximately 250 citizens over four years) and said the city is promoting workforce housing that is “pushing 600 new units as we stand here today.” He said the administration will work with developers on single-family housing and incentives to retain graduates from the local college and trade school.
On operations, the mayor said he is working with Developmental Services, Fire, the City Administrator and council to streamline inspections and regulatory processes so smaller local developers face the same rules as larger investors. He also said council meeting times were moved to 6:00 p.m. to increase accessibility for working residents.
The mayor warned that special-interest groups have long influenced local decisions and said, "I do not work for them, nor will I be coerced by them. I work for the citizen and the best interest of the city." He closed asking the council and staff to unify around measurable goals for housing, industry and population growth.
The remarks were presented as the mayor's perspective rather than council policy; no formal council votes were taken on the mayor's statements during the address.
