Friday, January 23, 2004

Union City mayor touts last year’s accomplishments

By LINDSAY BIANCHI
Special to The Citizen

For some people less is more, but for Mayor Ralph Moore of Union City more is more. In a six page State of the City address given at the opening of Tuesday's City Council Meeting, the mayor gave a comprehensive overview of 2003 and projections for 2004 with a variety of facts and figures.

"Good work is being done in Union City and quality of life continues to resemble that good work through the accomplishments of 171 men and women who work for this great city," Moore said in his opening remarks. He went on to mention awards received for high standards in balancing the books of the city. Budgets were reported to have been maintained over the last year even though "some projected revenues specifically, sales tax fell short" Moore explained.

An elevated bond rating from "A" to "A+" was lauded as "a very important position for Union City." Four reasons were given for the rating. Maintaining the city's strong financial position and reserve levels, the city's role as a "bedroom community close to the growing metro area's economy" and the city's modest tax base growth were all major factors. Finally Union City's diverse revenue stream was given as another important reason for the strong financial position.

An operating surplus of $2 million was compared to 2002's $322,000 surplus. The unreserved general fund balance was more than twice it's required minimum of 25 percent at 55.5 percent.

Moore next turned his attention to the city's growth. The population of Union City has grown from 11,621 in 2000 to approximately 15,090 at the present time. A total of 438 building permits were issued last year by the city.

Permits for commercial development in the area totaled 22 for 2003. Current plans for the construction of a Wal-Mart Super Store within the LCI area were the latest of Union City's commercial expansion according to the mayor's speech. Pointing out the relatively low number of code modifications in the past year, Moore declared, "That is just another testament to this city's commitment to get it right."

     Quoting President Theodore Roosevelt on service, "Do what you can with what you have, where you are," the mayor turned to those in the Public Safety Department and vowed, "as long as I serve as their chief elected official I will lobby elected officials to stay vigilant to a commitment to provide them with the highest quality of equipment, training and compensation."

    Numbers that ensured the residents of Union City were being looked after with great care included 600 fire inspections and 1,300 fire and EMS calls in the previous twelve months.

The police department's "readiness through constant training and acquisition of state certifications" showed that safety and public service were being practiced by more than just the Fire Department.

Chief of Police Mike Isome was quoted next by the Mayor.

"We are continually revising our operational procedures to meet the demands of a growing community. We remain committed to providing the highest level of service for our citizens while managing our current resources in a responsible manner."

The Department of Human Resources also got a mention in respect to a class given on cultural diversity, "the first of this type given to city employees" Moore said.

Before he concluded his speech, he made three requests of his Council member for the coming year.

The hiring of a land agent to see over negotiations for land transfer or purchase of a linear park within the LCI study topped the list. Next, the hiring of a consultant to work on a form code policy that will directly effect future development was given to the city manager and city planner to oversee. Last was the consideration of the Council to put one-half of a percent of the annual budget aside to construct a third fire station for the Christian City area.

Moore ended his speech with an old Native Indian proverb.

"Tell me and I forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I understand."

It was a challenge to the community to become a part of what Union City is destined to become.