Staying in Touch with Saint Joesph City Hall 2014
Richard Lewis has been in his job as city manager for 6 months and speaks about 2014
As I write this, I can’t help but think how the year 2014 has started out to be an exciting one with the recent combination of a winter storm and polar vortex. As I watched the three days unfold, the efforts of the city crews and your understanding/patience were impressive. I received several calls and notes of thanks for our efforts. You also served as our eyes for areas of concern which was a tremendous help. We know that winter isn’t over and, hopefully, what remains will not be as harsh. Going forward, you can be of extreme help to the city and each other by making sure cars are not parked on the street during snow events and not placing snow on sidewalks when clearing driveways and parking lots. It is important that residents shovel their sidewalks in front of their homes so that children can safely walk to school and pedestrians can walk their dogs and be safe.
While we tend to think of our lives in terms of a calendar year, the city’s year starts on July 1st. Our year that ended on June 30, 2013 showed that the city is very healthy financially. Midway through this year, we are on track to operate within the budget amounts and will end the year with a surplus. Over the next few months, the city commission will be discussing and establishing goals/objectives, which the city should be striving to achieve. Staff will then be developing budgets and strategies for city commission approval toward meeting those goals/objectives with a budget to be adopted by the first Monday in May.
To stay informed and find the information on all city business, including audits and budgets, please use the city’s newly revised website – www.sjcity.com. Your website has been revamped to make it easier to stay up to date on meetings and activities. The most recent update includes an additional menu item on the top of the home page titled, "Public Hub". Under this menu, residents will be able to quickly access such items as agendas and minutes, RFP’s, Public Notices, Job Postings, Press Releases and General Announcements with just one click. The website is a constant work-in-progress and, through the feedback we receive from you, changes are made to help make your use experience easier. Please take advantage of this important informational tool.
On a final note, thank you for the warm welcome to the community. I look forward to working with the citizens, an excellent city staff, and dedicated city commission to continue making the City of St. Joseph a great place to live, work, and play. My door is open, please stop by and visit.
Have a great and safe 2014.
Richard Lewis
