Mayor's Annual Message (1969)
From Lane Co Oregon
Contents |
Springfield News, Wednesday, January 22, 1969, page 7-A
Mayor Reports City's Progress
It is a real pleasure for me to report to the Common Counciland the citizenry in the form of the Mayor's Annual Message. This is a requirement of the charter and a good one. It gives us the oportunity to reflect upon the labors of the past year, to appraise the current position of the City, and, more importantly, to look to the future.
The City of Springfield continues in sound financial condition. The tax rate for the fiscal year 1968-69 is $5.07 per $1,000 of true cash value. This represents only 17.3% of the total property tax dollar, a percentage which has continually decreased for the past 18 years. This means that when you pay $1 in property taxes, the City of Springfield gets only 17 cents, for which you get police and fire protection; library services; street sweeping, maintenance, and lighting; traffic signalization; fire hydrants; dog control; air pollution control; planning; zoning enforcement; and many, many others.
Our assessed valuation continues to increse. Our indebtedness is less than 26% of our legal debt limit, and we continue to receive most favorable interest rates on bonds sold.
Growing at a Rapid Rate
We have continued to grow and expand at a rapid pace. Building permits totaled $4,777,261 in 1968 and include 98 apartment units, 78-bed nursing home expansion, sizable expansions of industries such as Kingsford Briquet, Borden Chemical, and Chembond. Total population increased 1,000 people in 1968 and now stands at 25,400 citizens. We continue to be one of Oregon's fstest-growing cities. Area wise, we expanded more in 1968 than we have since 1960, with 310.27 acres annexed to the City via consent annexations.
Many worthwhile and important projects were started during 1968.
The City joined with the downtown merchants in employing the firm of Lutes and Amundson to prepare a redevelopment plan for the downtown area. The plan is approximately 85% complete and now we must implement it. This will be discussed in more detail later.
With the assistance of the State Library Board, a bookmobile was purchased for the public library and service was expanded to outlying areas of the City. Circulation through the bookmobile is averaging 1,000 books per month in its first seven months of operation.
Other Programs
In addition to the state and federal funds for the bookmobile, 1968 saw us enter into two other programs involving outside funds; a study of the administrative procedure of our court system and the development of a master traffic plan. Together, these projects brought approximately $20,000 into the treasury and permitted us to make much needed studies.
Early in 1968 we were informed, in no uncertain terms, that Springfield would be re-rated for fire protection purposes. The staff and City Council analyzed our fire department needs and presented them to the people in the form of a ten-year serial levy totaling $675,000. The voters unanimously rallied to these needs, and our task now is to efficiently put the authorized funds to work for the betterment of fire service and an improved fire rating.
The staff has already taken steps to strengthen our fire department. An additional inspector has been allocated, through a shift in personnel, and a complete inspection of all high value districts has begun. In addition, the fire department is expanding its services to provide a year round fire prevention program, including a more extensive and positive program with the schools.
Charter Amendments
In addition to the fire department serial levy, electors approved three charter amendments providing for annexation of areas creating a health hazard, increasing maximum court fines to $500, and providing for an official map of the City whereby future rights of way for public purposes may be preserved.
To strengthen the City's image at home and to improve citizen interest and participation, the City Council began inviting two... ...several honored high school seniors was initiated in cooperation with School District No. 19, permitting high school students to gain first hand information and actually become involved in their City government. Also, and very importantly, the City Council adopted an awards program to recognize faithful employees and firemen and members of boards and commissions.
Springfield was one of the few taxing units which stayed within the 6% limitation for the fiscal year 1968-69. One organizational change which greatly aided in being able to stay within the limitation was the creation of a Department of Public Works, combining three individual departments into one, under the leadership of a Director of Public Works. This permitted some $64,000 reduction in operating expenses and has been a tremendous help in our tight and austere budget situation.
