Mulberry reports higher CRA revenue, utility account growth and community programs; finance director highlights a $114,000 equipment purchase

Finance Director John Wallace presented the city's 2025 annual finance report. He told commissioners that residential utility accounts rose from 2,172 in 2024 to 2,215 in 2025 and that combined CRA revenue for the city and county totaled $1,665,965.25, an increase of $310,548.38 (22.9%) from 2024. Wallace noted the city purchased a 2025 crane truck for the utility department for roughly $114,000 to support lift‑station and pump work.

In outreach and cultural programming, Aubrey Page summarized Studio 37 activities and partnerships: knitting and crochet meetups (the crochet group made 41 small blankets and 16 hats for the Guardian ad Litem program), Tai Chi for seniors (arthritis/fall prevention), theater rehearsals (Wizard of Oz opens May 29) and two OneBlood donor events scheduled for June 4 and July 2 with donor incentives. Wayne O'Connell, president of the Chamber of Commerce, provided a business update: membership grew with the addition of Go Minis to 141 members, breakfast and a ribbon cutting for Central Penn Healthcare were announced, and next year's annual dinner and clay shoot dates were shared.

Why it matters: the finance figures signal local growth in the CRA district tied to new home construction, and the outreach items indicate active civic programming and local engagement that support resident services and community cohesion.

What comes next: finance figures become part of the city budget outlook; managers will continue program scheduling and community partnerships.