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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-0120 MAYOR'S ADDRESSMAYOR'S MESSAGE January 20, 1976 I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the year just completed and to look forward to 1976. 1975 was a good year and I think the members of the Council, city employees and members of the many commissions and boards who have served the city well are to be complimented for an excellent job. It has been a pleasure for me to have had the opportunity to work with each of you, and I look for- ward to the coming year. This is an appropriate time to evaluate where we are and to set goals for the new year. Ashland, as a city, has many things of which we should be very proud. The expansion of the hospital has been completed, and we are able to continue to provide outstanding medical services. The sewage treatment plant expansion has been completed and has an adequate capacity for the future needs of the city. We are in the final stages of completing the flood restoration projects; the total cost will be approximately $125,000 of the $750,000 authorized by the voters. The comprehensive plan will be before the Pla ,ning Commission shortly, and we are continuing to make satisfactory progress to~4, rd its completion. We have had excellent citizen input in the initial stages, and I am cm fident that everyone con- cerned will make plans to attend the public hearings in order to express their ideas regarding our final approved plan. The Beck report has been received, and the study indicates that our electric utility is in excellent condition. Recommendations are given for future improvements. The city councils of the past several years have looked forward and, in most cases, have planned well in making Ashland a very attractive and enjoyable place to live. I am sure that programs toward this goal will be continued in 1976. I feel as if there are several problems facing the city of Ashland for next year that will take a lot of time, and serious and meaningful discussion to arrive at future directions. As you are aware, we reduced the Public Works Department by fourteen positions during the last fiscal year, and are approaching 1976-77 fiscal year with a shortage of funds to continue our current level of operations. Federal revenue sharing has not been re-enacted by the Congress and is not a definite source of revenue for next year. In our current budget, we are funding approximately $100,000 of programs directly related to health and safety from this source. A goal I would personally recommend is to find a way of funding all programs relating to health and safety from sources of revenue that are not dependent on legisla- tion from other governmental agencies. Again, I would like to emphasize the importance of completing the compre- hensive plan during this year, since it has many ramifications for the future growth and livability of the city of Ashland. Government seems to be caught up in a negative atmosphere, and I believe the city of Ashland has too many positive factors present to let this attitude govern our decision making. We have become well known as a city with au .utstanding theater, Southern Oregon State College, increasing vitality in our business community, and excellent livability for our citizenry. I look forward to the opportunity to serve with the City Council toward future accomplishments.