State of the City

Annual Report on the State of the City

From Prospect Mayor Todd Eberle

2009 was a challenging year for citizens, businesses, governments and our overall economy. Prospect city government was no exception. However, I am pleased to advise that our city's governmental operations continue to remain stable due in large part to fiscal policies which we put in place when I took office over three years ago. Most of the significant economic stress indicators were yet to occur during last year's 2009-2010 budget deliberations. Since that time, the economy retreated to what is hopefully its low point followed by current signs of a modest turnaround. Thanks to the hard work of our dedicated employees, the city continues to operate efficiently and we are able to avoid significant cutbacks in services to our residents. We have instituted many cost saving measures and gratefully accepted the generous volunteer contributions of citizens as we moved through the year. This, combined with the solid efforts of our staff, has afforded us the opportunity to maintain the level of services our residents so widely appreciate. Though municipal revenues, including inter-governmental fund receipts, present potential problems as we begin a new calendar year, I believe that the depth of the economic downturn has been weathered and the city can move through 2010 maintaining essential services. As a suburban city our services include, but are not limited to, twenty-four hour police protection, waste and garbage removal, street and public area maintenance (paving, snow removal, mowing, landscaping, etc.), library services, parks and public land maintenance, street lighting, landscape irrigation, purchased utility services, planning and zoning, code enforcement, urban forestation maintenance, and community events. These activities provide services well beyond what we would receive if we were required to rely on General Services District status with Louisville Metropolitan Government. The following paragraphs give a view of what transpired in the past year, what we are looking to in the year ahead, and the people who contribute to our continued success as a city.

The Year in Review 2009

We experienced a rude new year's greeting on January 27 and 28, 2009 with the most devastating ice storm in Kentucky history. City Hall remained in operation throughout the entire emergency period with a welcome assist from the continuity of service insurance we had acquired earlier in the year through the Kentucky League of Cities. All city services operated without interruption. We maintained open communication with our contacts at Louisville Metro Government as well as Louisville Gas and Electric. Both entities were very helpful in assisting us to ensure that the effect of the storm on our city, its residents, and businesses was minimized. Still the effects of the storm were deeply felt and we continued to deal with the aftermath of the storm throughout the year. A major challenge was presented to our Forestation Board which was forced to revisit the comprehensive public tree inventory they conducted in the summer and fall of 2008. We worked closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), filed timely emergency assistance claims, and received all reimbursement payments before the end of the year.

With the emergency situation behind us, we focused on positive changes and projects to round out the year. On February 16 th , we received official notice that Prospect had been awarded Tree City USA status from the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters. This is a goal I had pursued since 2006. The work of many individuals over the past several years allowed Prospect to be recognized as Kentucky's first and only new Tree City USA for 2009, joining the ranks of only a small number of other Tree Cities in the state. This status contributes to the desirability of living in our city and places us in a more favorable position when applying for grant funds. The award was formally presented at the Kentucky State Arbor Day Celebration held in Shelbyville on April 3 rd .

The summer months began to pull our citizens together for annual community events. July featured our 15 th Annual Fourth of July Celebration. October included Prospect's 12 th Annual Punk'in Paint'n Celebration, our 2 nd Annual Arborfest, our traditional Mayor's Beautiful Day (which included the first Annual City Beautification Awards), and a record-setting Library Fall Book Sale. Finally, the end-of-the-year holiday season was kicked off in early December with our annual Light Up Prospect event at Cowley Park Open Space.

New initiatives during the year included the mailing of Prospect automobile stickers to all residents designed to assist police patrols of neighborhoods. A new police telephone line for administrative (non-emergency) matters was established. A grant was received to purchase four additional Mobile Data Computers for police patrol cars. Combined with a similar grant from last year, each car is now equipped with computer terminals. Another police department grant provided our first in-car digital video camera, the beginning of a program to replace our aging video tape cameras. In another key law enforcement development, I am pleased to advise that the Prospect Police Department became the first police department in Kentucky (and one of the first in the country) to purchase hybrid police cruisers. With the two new cars (our first in over three years), our compared-vehicle gas mileage has increased from 13 to 23 miles per gallon.

To improve understanding of city government and services, this past fall we created a Resident's Guide to Prospect containing general information concerning the city and answers to frequently asked questions about operations and regulations. In December, the draft report of the Prospect Comprehensive Transportation Study (also known as the "Prospect Mobility Study") was issued. The final report will be available in early 2010. The project was made possible by a grant obtained through the Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency. For many years, it will provide a blueprint for improvements which will create greater "connectivity" between the various neighborhoods and commercial areas of the city.

Current Financial Picture

As we begin the last half of the current fiscal year and the 2010-2011 budget preparation process, I have been providing City Council members with detailed information concerning our present and future financial situation, allowing them to evaluate both short-term and long-term financial needs in light of economic difficulties in the public and private sectors. The majority consensus in discussions at both the December 2009 and January 2010 Council Meetings has been to remain cautious regarding expenditures and be watchful for possible economic changes which may improve revenues. Numerous initiatives have been undertaken to reduce expenditures over the past three years. Earlier this year I issued an Executive Order directing that any discretionary expenditures over one-hundred dollars be approved in writing, no new personnel positions be created, and personnel vacancies which occur be filled only under joint review of the City Administrator, Police Chief and myself. During the next calendar year, specific attention will be focused on avoiding crisis situations in city services or finances. Though reserve funds are available, we must assure they are not drawn down to the point where we would be unable to respond to critical needs. In short, my three-part goal as we move through 2010 will be to avoid both reduction of services and unnecessary expenditures while maintaining an appropriate amount of reserve funds.

Staffing and Administration

During the past year the City has enjoyed a consistent level of staffing as well as low turnover. This was made possible with the assistance of city employees, several of whom participated in cross training which allows us to avoid hiring temporary employees when a staff member is on leave. Police Department performance levels and staffing remained constant thanks to efficient management on the part of Police Chief Marvin Wilson. The only turnover among city hall staff occurred in February 2009 when our Police Administrative Assistant retired and was replaced by Jill Vidito. Members of the Library/Reading Center Committee have contributed countless volunteer hours to maintain a high level of library services at the Falk Reading Center. This supported our decision not to replace the city's former Library Administrative Assistant who had retired. The efforts of our experienced City Administrator Ann Simms allowed us to maintain excellent continuity in city management and a high level of professionalism from city administrative personnel. On a final note, last fall we instituted new hours at City Hall permitting us to remain open until 6:30 p.m. on Monday evenings. The result afforded greater access to city services for our residents, businesses, library patrons and others. The move has been embraced by our administrative staff, and persons doing business with the city have quickly taken advantage of extended hours.

Looking ahead

2010 will present both challenges and opportunities for the City. We strive to maintain our status as a desirable, well-managed suburban city in a vibrant, progressive metropolitan area. The addition of a fifth (turning) lane for U.S. Highway 42 through the Village Center area of Prospect will continue to be studied by the City and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The project remains a part of Kentucky's "six year road plan." I will continue to work for sidewalks and multi-use paths to be included in the final design. Our Forestation Board, which faced many challenges in 2009, will be developing plans for the maintenance of our community's trees and forested areas. The Putney Pond and Woodlands Advisory Committee will be making major contributions to improve the natural area as a place to enjoy the beauty of our surroundings. Their work on improvements to the hiking trails and monitoring establishment of the new entry road will continue throughout the year. A final major thank you must be extended to those who serve on Prospect's Code Enforcement Board, The Prospect Ethics Commission, Mayor's Advisory Council, Library Committee, and of course, our City Council. Though not often in the spotlight, the many hours of volunteer service which they contribute are greatly appreciated and critically important in keeping the City of Prospect a desirable place to live, work and relax.

I continue to appreciate the many opportunities, challenges and rewards I have experienced in serving as Mayor for the past three-plus years. It is my hope that 2010 will afford additional opportunities to balance responsible day-to-day government operations and management with a progressive and creative vision for our future.

Mayor

Todd Eberle