Last Updated on July 18, 2016 by cassnetwork
We’ve invited Logansport Mayor Dave Kitchell to share updates from the city in a monthly column on CassCountyOnline.com.
Dave Kitchell
It wasn’t one singular event that made for a productive month for the city of Logansport in June, but collectively, the month was probably the best one our community has had this year.
Perhaps the most visible thing that happened in June was the unveiling of trees lit at night which adds to the atmosphere of the Logan’s Landing area downtown. The mural painted on the side of Fernbaugh’s Jewelry thanks to the funds raised via Dancing with the Stars is eye-catching and it is painted by local students. A fund-raiser was held to endow the community’s newest nonprofit organization, the State Theater. More pieces of the downtown puzzle are coming together.
Throughout the community, there are signs that progress is being made. In the east end, Lin’s has opened on East Market. The Chinese buffet was greeted by crowds on its grand opening weekend. That restaurant and the new Domino’s location fill a void that had been apparent for years after the former Sonic drive-in closed its doors.
The City Building also is showing some progress. Last month, the Clerk-Treasurer’s Office underwent a much-needed facelift. The result makes for a more customer-friendly atmosphere that frees up more work space for staff and looks more like a 21st century office.
Stacy also has instituted a monthly report to the city council that will be presented at each meeting. I applaud this move because it underscores the importance of transparency and accountability and city government. It’s a move that’s not only good for the council, but good for all of us. Her initial report reflects that many areas of our budget are doing well, even though we have lost almost 30 percent of our general fund budget to property tax caps and uncollected property taxes.
For starters, our General Fund balance at the end of the first six months of the year was $4.96 million. Our overall revenues ($6.172 million) outpaced our expenses ($5.944 million). For the month of June alone, our Golf Operating Fund increased by 50 percent to $152,222 which bodes well for Dykeman Park Municipal and Pro Dean Vietti this year. Our Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds grew last month. The industrial park fund now has nearly $1 million ($957,557), downtown has nearly $100,000 ($97,751) while the East End Fund is up to $229,145 and the Gateway Fund is nearing the $300,000 mark ($292,000). Overall, the city’s combined pooled and non-pooled accounts, including utilities is now $21.5 million.
And speaking of pools, our facility at Tower Park is now fully operational. We continue to work on accessibility, lighting and the pavilion next to the pool. Other parks properties, including the new Welcome Center at Fourth Street and East Melbourne, have added amenities in restrooms. More extensive restroom work is planned at Riverside Park where new fencing is being installed.
Deputy Mayor Mercedes Brugh and Street Commissioner Tony Shanks have been working on our new state-required pavement management system. Their efforts are leading to our application for 50-50 matching money for paving that will potentially resurface more portions of the city than have been paved in the last four years combined. Mercedes also is working on our Hometown Collaboration Initiative to draw people from throughout the community to create a public agenda for progress. It is our intent to use this process as a natural progression to a state Stellar Community application. More importantly, whether or not we receive that designation, a community agenda can serve as a benchmark for our generation and future generations and keep our priorities conspicuously visible on our community dashboard.
The Cass-Logansport Economic Development Organization has stabilized and is proceeding with more proactive planning for marketing our community. It is also administering our new internship program which has been a success in just the first six months. Hopefully, it can serve as a model to other communities as we endeavor to keep more students in Logansport and attract more qualified college students and graduates to our community.
It has been a relatively cool summer so far, but many close to the city are sweating the details involved with improving our quality of life. Among those people are members of the city council and the Utility Service Board who have been involved in selecting a new Purchased Power Agreement provider for the Logansport Municipal Utilities. An Indianapolis consultant has offered a non-binding recommendation of Next Era Energy from Florida which may serve us well for the foreseeable future. This is positive news for local industry, retailers and homeowners.
One generous benefactor has anonymously donated $1,000 to the city to spruce up Ninth Street Cemetery. Many trees in the cemetery are dead or pose a threat to the tombstones there or the people visiting the historic cemetery. Cemetery Sexton Bob Bernhardt will have more resources to improve one of the most historic places in our community.
We now have three new officers – all from Logansport families – who have joined the Logansport Police Department. They are a testament to the Griffith, Flory and Rozzi families.
At many local restaurants, lodges and veterans organizations, you’ll notice new placemats detailing upcoming summer events and festivals. Our response so far has been strong because these placemats are connecting more people to the sense of place we have in Logansport – what we do on the weekends, how we celebrate our heritage and how we involve youth and families.
Finally, I’m encouraged and proud of people who have stepped forward to redouble our community service efforts. This week, a new prayer service will be held at Calvary to focus our community’s hearts and minds on the problem of drug abuse. Just two weeks ago, our police department joined forces with others to arrest 64 people drive on U.S. 31 over the weekend. The Local Coordinating Council continues to meet to bring all resources at its disposal to bear in the fight.
I’m also happy to report that one of the local Masonic Lodges is sponsoring, for the first time ever, a motorcycle run this weekend. Proceeds will benefit the Special Olympics, which is one of Logansport’s favorite charitable causes. This event was inspired by the first ever Special Olympics field day earlier this year at LHS Stadium.
It is a pleasure to serve as your mayor. If you have any suggestions, concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to call us at 753-2551, or e-mail me at dkitchell@cityoflogansport.org.