Mayor delivers optimism in State of the City address
Published on Wed, Feb 10, 2010 by Beckye RandallRead More Local News
Marysville Mayor Dennis Kendall delivered an uplifting outlook for the city at the monthly Business Before Hours event hosted by the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce on January 29.
"We may bend under the weight of economic uncertainty, but we never break," vowed the mayor in acknowledging the city's budgetary challenges.
Kendall spotlighted the successes of 2009, one of which was the Central Marysville Annexation that added nearly 20,000 residents to the city's population.
To help introduce the newest Marysville citizens to the city's government and services, a number of community meetings are being planned.
"Ownership has its advantages," said Kendall, "from gaining a direct voice in local government and more influence into how local services can better meet the needs of the community and their neighborhood."
With the municipal budget stretched to the breaking point, expanding services to the newly annexed area will be funded, in part, by a special sales tax credit from the state. By accomplishing the annexation by an interlocal agreement with Snohomish County, the city also gained the county's agreement to help pay for improvements to 88th Street NE between 67th and State Avenue.
On the subject of public safety, Mayor Kendall claimed, "Marysville is a safer place than it has been for many years." Even though the city's population has increased by more than 25 percent in the past five years, not including the recent annexation, crime rates have been reduced to 2004-2005 levels.
Graffiti-related activity is down 18 percent, reported the mayor, and auto thefts have seen a 12 percent drop. He credited a number of local and interagency initiatives for the improved statistics, including Sheriff John Lovick, the Snohomish County Auto Theft Task Force, School Resource Officers and the city's own N.I.T.E. swift-action team.
The parks department continued to make significant contributions to the local quality of life, even with a trimmed-down budget. The 4-mile Jennings Park trail and 1.6-mile Northpointe Point Loop trail opened last year, and nine fitness stations were installed on the Northpointe trail as well. The city also assumed stewardship of the Rudy Wright Memorial Ball Field as part of its purchase of the former 10th Street School at Cedar Avenue and 10th. The former school building/gym now hosts programming for the Boys and Girls Club of Snohomish County.
The city also exhibited its commitment to the Healthy Communities Project by partnering with the school district to offer free use of the M-PHS pool and walking track. More than 8 miles of striped bike lanes have been added to city streets, and the Wilcox Farm Community Garden provided fresh produce for local tables and the community food bank.
The 2010 budget reflects the city's fiscal belt-tightening, the mayor assured, with a 2 percent decrease from 2009 spending levels. Even with significant cuts, the budget will dip into the city's reserves.
Raising taxes in the depressed economy was a tough but necessary measure, said the mayor. To replenish the city's depleted Street Fund, which covers roadway repairs and maintenance, the City Council adopted an admissions tax and increased the utility tax on phone services by 1 percent.
But despite the current economic strain, Mayor Kendall shared an optimistic vision for Marysville.
"We have seen the entrepreneurial spirit hard at work in our community," said Kendall. "Just in 2009, city councilmembers and I have cut the ribbon at 23 newly-opened businesses and restaurants. These enterprising individuals aren't letting the economy dampen their optimism. Neither are we."
Lauding the passage of master plans for the downtown core and the Smokey Point industrial/commercial area, the mayor predicted "Marysville will be ready" for the recovery.
"Difficult economic times have tested our resolve, and that has made it hard for many local families, friends and neighbors to remain confident in the face of continued uncertainty," said Kendall. "I want you to feel confident that the City Council and administration are sensitive to these conditions and in control, keeping Marysville on course toward a prosperous future."
"We may bend under the weight of economic uncertainty, but we never break," vowed the mayor in acknowledging the city's budgetary challenges.
Kendall spotlighted the successes of 2009, one of which was the Central Marysville Annexation that added nearly 20,000 residents to the city's population.
To help introduce the newest Marysville citizens to the city's government and services, a number of community meetings are being planned. "Ownership has its advantages," said Kendall, "from gaining a direct voice in local government and more influence into how local services can better meet the needs of the community and their neighborhood."
With the municipal budget stretched to the breaking point, expanding services to the newly annexed area will be funded, in part, by a special sales tax credit from the state. By accomplishing the annexation by an interlocal agreement with Snohomish County, the city also gained the county's agreement to help pay for improvements to 88th Street NE between 67th and State Avenue.
On the subject of public safety, Mayor Kendall claimed, "Marysville is a safer place than it has been for many years." Even though the city's population has increased by more than 25 percent in the past five years, not including the recent annexation, crime rates have been reduced to 2004-2005 levels.
Graffiti-related activity is down 18 percent, reported the mayor, and auto thefts have seen a 12 percent drop. He credited a number of local and interagency initiatives for the improved statistics, including Sheriff John Lovick, the Snohomish County Auto Theft Task Force, School Resource Officers and the city's own N.I.T.E. swift-action team.
The parks department continued to make significant contributions to the local quality of life, even with a trimmed-down budget. The 4-mile Jennings Park trail and 1.6-mile Northpointe Point Loop trail opened last year, and nine fitness stations were installed on the Northpointe trail as well. The city also assumed stewardship of the Rudy Wright Memorial Ball Field as part of its purchase of the former 10th Street School at Cedar Avenue and 10th. The former school building/gym now hosts programming for the Boys and Girls Club of Snohomish County.
The city also exhibited its commitment to the Healthy Communities Project by partnering with the school district to offer free use of the M-PHS pool and walking track. More than 8 miles of striped bike lanes have been added to city streets, and the Wilcox Farm Community Garden provided fresh produce for local tables and the community food bank.
The 2010 budget reflects the city's fiscal belt-tightening, the mayor assured, with a 2 percent decrease from 2009 spending levels. Even with significant cuts, the budget will dip into the city's reserves.
Raising taxes in the depressed economy was a tough but necessary measure, said the mayor. To replenish the city's depleted Street Fund, which covers roadway repairs and maintenance, the City Council adopted an admissions tax and increased the utility tax on phone services by 1 percent.
But despite the current economic strain, Mayor Kendall shared an optimistic vision for Marysville.
"We have seen the entrepreneurial spirit hard at work in our community," said Kendall. "Just in 2009, city councilmembers and I have cut the ribbon at 23 newly-opened businesses and restaurants. These enterprising individuals aren't letting the economy dampen their optimism. Neither are we."
Lauding the passage of master plans for the downtown core and the Smokey Point industrial/commercial area, the mayor predicted "Marysville will be ready" for the recovery.
"Difficult economic times have tested our resolve, and that has made it hard for many local families, friends and neighbors to remain confident in the face of continued uncertainty," said Kendall. "I want you to feel confident that the City Council and administration are sensitive to these conditions and in control, keeping Marysville on course toward a prosperous future."
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