City Commission sets priorities
Tallahassee Democrat –Focus narrowed to jobs, budget, promotion and connectivity
By TaMaryn Waters
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
At first, 15 goals were up for discussion during the City Commission’s annual retreat Wednesday at Hilaman Golf Course, but commissioners eventually pared the list down to four priorities.
Collectively, they agreed to focus on creating more jobs, strengthening the budget, promoting the city as a destination spot and encouraging more connectivity by giving people more options for mobility.
Last year’s retreat focused heavily on the city’s dire need to rebound from the recession and fanning out federal stimulus money for a string of projects.
Wednesday’s dialogue catapulted other ideas commissioners said warranted consideration, such as inviting local universities to play a role in economic development, promoting more energy efficiency and potentially creating merit pay for city employees.
Paco de la Fuente, 60, was one of a handful of residents who quietly listened. He said he was impressed.
“I think they are ambitious goals, and I hope they can be implemented,” de la Fuente said.
Commissioners Mark Mustian and Gil Ziffer said they believed the retreat was effective, but they said the challenge will be putting the priorities in a workable format. City staffers plan to create steps that will address each priority.
“This was the easy part,” Mustian said.
The need to replenish the city’s reserve fund, which is generally used for emergencies, is a firm priority.
The city used $2.2 million to balance the fire fund and about $992,000 for the building-inspection fund by the end of 2009, said Raoul Lavin, director of management and administration.
Lavin said over the past three years the deficiency fund was used to pay for services that were not generating enough revenue to cover expenses. He said the city’s goal is to always have enough money in reserves to cover operating costs for two months or about $21.8 million. Lavin said the city currently has $5.2 million in the reserve fund. By the end of this fiscal year, he said it should be increased to about $11 million.
Mayor John Marks and Commissioner Andrew Gillum stressed the need to promote the city’s attractions in an effort to increase tourism.
“I think we have a tremendous opportunity to create a leisure market,” Marks said. “We have not done a very good job of promoting the city of Tallahassee as a place they can visit.”
Commissioner Debbie Lightsey encouraged commissioners to consider the potential in reaching out to Florida A&M and Florida State universities to help bolster economic development since the universities are heavily involved in research, which could bring in more money locally.
Gov. Charlie Crist said last week he wanted to inject $100 million into the state’s public universities for the 2010-2011 budget year. The Board of Governors, which provides oversight for the state’s public universities, hopes to create an initiative — New Florida — that will include universities in an effort to boost the state’s economy.
Ziffer also said the commission should conduct meetings or discussions in venues beyond City Hall. He said that may encourage more residents to get involved.
Additional Facts
City’s 2010 priorities:
- Take concrete steps to expand job creation and retention to reduce the city’s unemployment rate.
- Create a five-year balanced budget without an increase in the property-tax rate or deferral of costs and fully restore the deficiency fund within five to seven years.
- Work with private and public interests and cultural organizations to create a sense of place in distinct sectors of the community.
- Foster an environment of connectivity and safe options for transportation.