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The Mayor’s Annual Report 2005
City of Whiting Joseph M. Stahura Mayor |
Reprinted from the Mayor’s 2005 State of the City report dated 2/21/2006:
One of our major decisions of 2006 will be to outline a plan for the future of our lakeshore. This underutilized asset may hold the key for the future growth of our City. Our opportunity will be to capitalize on the best use of the property. Rest assured that the developers responding to our Master Development RFQ are treating the lakeshore as a huge opportunity.
A very difficult challenge facing us in 2006 will be to execute our plan in completing our aggressive redevelopment efforts throughout the City. While funding issues should not hinder our success, the shear workload for a limited number of staff members will be daunting.
When writing this report last year, I had difficulty explaining in words how challenging a year 2004 actually was. Property tax issues seemed to fill every section of the report and nearly every discussion that took place. It was hard to speak to anyone, at anytime, without discussing the property tax issue. As we begin 2006, I can now say that actions that we have taken and plans that we now have in place, have given us reason to be optimistic again. I ask every one of the fine citizens of Whiting to watch carefully as we move forward this year. With every new development, every new business, every renovation project, and with every new home that is built, just smile and keep the faith. It will take some time, but it will get done. I’m betting on it.
Thank you, Mayor Joseph M. Stahura |
More new homes slated for Center Street: Due to the stabilizing property tax environment, several new homes, town homes and condos are scheduled for construction in 2006.
Mayor receives Award: In early 2005, Mayor Stahura was awarded the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash Award from then Governor Joe Kernan. |
City of Whiting Joseph M. Stahura Mayor |
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“My second year in office was a roller coaster ride in which my staff and I worked extremely hard to lay the ground work for a wealth of new development projects. These projects are the foundation to our strategical approach to further improving the property tax situation. Copies of my State of the City Address, which contains significantly more detail on the City’s operation in 2005, are available at City Hall or can be viewed online at: http://www.whitingindiana.com/intranet."
§ Lobbied for an extension of the 2% property tax circuit breaker which was subsequently approved § Lobbied for the 2% property tax circuit breaker to be made automatic and permanent § Assisted countless property owners with property tax related issues such as assessment appeals, property consolidation and error correction § Completed $175,000 in road and alley paving projects § Completed $125,000 in sidewalk replacement and repair projects § Continued efforts to demolish abandoned and unsafe buildings § Expanded discussions with neighboring cities to explore cost-saving ideas & joint ventures § Responded to 4,791 police calls § Responded to 1,088 fire & EMS calls § Made 62 felony arrests & continued its assault on gang & drug activity |
§ Applied for and subsequently was awarded over $100,000 in various grants § Improved the City/Chamber web site and now posting 100’s of records online § Purchased several properties to stimulate economic development opportunities including the Globe Roofing properties § For the second consecutive year, increased recycling tonnage in nearly all categories of collection § Further reduced the cost of trash and recycling pick-up by $125,000 by purchasing new trash totes § Negotiated new labor agreements with the Police F.O.P., the Firefighters Union and the Teamsters. § Expanded our partnership with the School City to explore and implement cost-saving ideas & joint ventures § Participated in the ‘Good Government Initiative’, a comprehensive study analyzing opportunities to improve the efficiency of our operation. § Reduced the number of members serving on the Board of Sanitary Commissioners from 5 to 3 to improve efficiency § Aggressively improved pricing from vendors through the competitive bidding and negotiation processes § Acquired a troubled local tavern with intentions to demolish the building and convert to a neighborhood park § Created Historic Preservation District and Commission for 119th Street § Established a residency bonus for Police and Fire personnel as an incentive to live within the City limits § Laid the groundwork and completed all preparatory work for the Whiting Renaissance Development Plan which will commence in 2006
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§ Purchased 2 new squad cars and a new Street Dept. dump truck/snow plow § Redevelopment Commission established a matching grant program to assist property owners in renovating the exterior of their homes and businesses, in which nearly $100,000 was distributed § Drastically improved bottom line for the Sewer Users Fund and improved financials for the Water Department § Developed a 5-year Capital Plan that outlines and budgets for future expenditures on a priority needs basis § Developed the City’s first employee Safety Manual § Mayor appointed to the IACT Environmental Policy Committee § 15% reduction to the cost of operating the Whiting City Court § Constructed new parking lot on Center Street near the High School stadium § Announced the plans to construct a new state of the art Water Purification Plant
New Police Squad: Above is a photo of the new black & white squads that the Police Department is now using.
§ Loss of a potential $1,000,000 medical facility on 119th Street due to the current property tax environment
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§ Loss of 3 homes and damage to 2 others as a result of a fire on the 1400 block of Fischrupp Avenue § Continued to struggle with the rapid rise in all insurance related costs § Shooting at a neighborhood tavern resulting in two men being injured § Unresolved long-standing property tax appeal issues involving BP § Reduction in the gross assessed valuation of the City of $15M
§ Complete the $500,000 renovation of the Community Center including the installation of a new roof, all new windows and doors and expanded restroom facilities § Coordinate economic development opportunities in the business district § Implement cost-saving improvements identified in the Good Gov Study § Complete several street and sidewalk improvement projects § Complete construction of new municipal parking lots on New York Avenue and on 119th Street § Finalize plans for potential lakefront development opportunities § Coordinate and assist the selected developers to drive the implementation of the Whiting Renaissance Development Plan § Continue to look for opportunities to acquire key properties which have the potential of benefiting the community § Continue to improve the City communication with the residents § Develop and implement a marketing strategy for our community |
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