If you didn’t have an opportunity to attend the Rolla City Council meeting last Tuesday, Sept. 8 when the first of two public hearings were held to adopt the City’s 2009-2010 budget, you will have another opportunity to provide input during the Sept. 21 City Council meeting.
This year’s proposed annual City budget, which is about $23 million, includes a modest but realistic projection of future sales tax revenues of 1%. Balancing the City’s expenses and revenues, without sacrificing the quality and consistency of the services our residents and business owners have come to expect, remains more of a challenge this year than in prior years. Like other communities across the state, Rolla has not been altogether immune to the national and global recession that many leading economists are now saying is over.
Granted, the sales tax revenues are not the robust 3% and 5% the City was fortunate to see four and five years ago, but there are many positive economic indicators that are pointing to a positive upward swing in our economy. Although it may be gradual, the City is seeing more construction activity both from the commercial and residential sectors that is encouraging. Business establishments along Bishop Avenue, Kingshighway and Pine Street are re-investing in their properties, facades and overall appearance, which in itself is a positive indicator that our economy continues to move forward. The momentum that is created by new businesses, development and growth is something that is difficult to directly measure, but non-the-less does create a sense that Rolla is moving forward.
As was clearly evidenced by the tremendous success of the recent Tour of Missouri Stage 3 Finish in Rolla, our community is working together today in ways that are beneficial to the continued growth and sustainability of our residents and businesses. And while it is too soon to measure the direct economic impact derived from hosting the second consecutive Tour of Missouri race in our City, there is every reason to believe that the race will have a significant impact on our economy and sales tax revenues for the month of September. What may not be as easily recognized is the positive light and world-wide reputation an event like the Tour of Missouri brings to our community.
The City continues to invest in and upgrade the infrastructure of our facilities as reflected in the newly resurfaced tennis courts at the Ber Juan Tennis Complex, the newly paved parking lots at the Rolla Recycling Center (2141 Old St. James Road) and The Centre (1200 N. Holloway Street), and many more miles of repaved streets in the City’s downtown business district and outlying neighborhoods. These upgrades not only enhance the appearance of these facilities and areas of the City, but also indicate that a progressive City is a City that is constantly moving forward, improving, and meeting the challenges of the future.
There are many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for our community such as the first phase of the multi-phase, multi-year Rolla West Project, the Ridgeview Extension, the new Arts and Entertainment District inspired by the developers of Benton Square, the first phase of the Innovation Park being planned by Missouri University of Science and Technology, the revitalization of the City’s downtown business district, and the City’s role as the regional hub in South Central Missouri for higher education, health care, dining, retail and technological advancements.
We are headed for, what I believe will be a very constructive, exciting and progressive year for Rolla in the rest of 2009 and 2010. Together, with all aspects of our community working toward the betterment of our economy and quality of life, we will all have a lot to look forward to.
This year’s proposed annual City budget, which is about $23 million, includes a modest but realistic projection of future sales tax revenues of 1%. Balancing the City’s expenses and revenues, without sacrificing the quality and consistency of the services our residents and business owners have come to expect, remains more of a challenge this year than in prior years. Like other communities across the state, Rolla has not been altogether immune to the national and global recession that many leading economists are now saying is over.
Granted, the sales tax revenues are not the robust 3% and 5% the City was fortunate to see four and five years ago, but there are many positive economic indicators that are pointing to a positive upward swing in our economy. Although it may be gradual, the City is seeing more construction activity both from the commercial and residential sectors that is encouraging. Business establishments along Bishop Avenue, Kingshighway and Pine Street are re-investing in their properties, facades and overall appearance, which in itself is a positive indicator that our economy continues to move forward. The momentum that is created by new businesses, development and growth is something that is difficult to directly measure, but non-the-less does create a sense that Rolla is moving forward.
As was clearly evidenced by the tremendous success of the recent Tour of Missouri Stage 3 Finish in Rolla, our community is working together today in ways that are beneficial to the continued growth and sustainability of our residents and businesses. And while it is too soon to measure the direct economic impact derived from hosting the second consecutive Tour of Missouri race in our City, there is every reason to believe that the race will have a significant impact on our economy and sales tax revenues for the month of September. What may not be as easily recognized is the positive light and world-wide reputation an event like the Tour of Missouri brings to our community.
The City continues to invest in and upgrade the infrastructure of our facilities as reflected in the newly resurfaced tennis courts at the Ber Juan Tennis Complex, the newly paved parking lots at the Rolla Recycling Center (2141 Old St. James Road) and The Centre (1200 N. Holloway Street), and many more miles of repaved streets in the City’s downtown business district and outlying neighborhoods. These upgrades not only enhance the appearance of these facilities and areas of the City, but also indicate that a progressive City is a City that is constantly moving forward, improving, and meeting the challenges of the future.
There are many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for our community such as the first phase of the multi-phase, multi-year Rolla West Project, the Ridgeview Extension, the new Arts and Entertainment District inspired by the developers of Benton Square, the first phase of the Innovation Park being planned by Missouri University of Science and Technology, the revitalization of the City’s downtown business district, and the City’s role as the regional hub in South Central Missouri for higher education, health care, dining, retail and technological advancements.
We are headed for, what I believe will be a very constructive, exciting and progressive year for Rolla in the rest of 2009 and 2010. Together, with all aspects of our community working toward the betterment of our economy and quality of life, we will all have a lot to look forward to.
No comments:
Post a Comment