WILMINGTON, NC (2008-01-29) Mayor Bill Saffo's State of the City address read something like a citywide shopping list.
In the 23-minute speech, the mayor reeled off spending projects that included $6 million to repair the Northeast Interceptor sewer line, an $8.5 million public safety training center; and $4 million for stormwater projects.
But the big issue in Saffo's address wasn't about spending, but saving. Wilmington has to find $4 million in budget cuts after New Hanover County's recent discovery that it miscalculated tax revenues.
"This was an unfortunate error, yet we will focus our energy and attention to solve this problem as we have done with our sewer system. It will not be easy and tough decisions will have to be made this council. But we will make them."
Saffo elaborated, "It will not be easy and tough decisions will have to be made. But we will make these tough decisions and re-do this budget. We look to control expenses, use reserves, live without some things in order to rebalance the budget."
In the 23-minute speech, the mayor reeled off spending projects that included $6 million to repair the Northeast Interceptor sewer line, an $8.5 million public safety training center; and $4 million for stormwater projects.
But the big issue in Saffo's address wasn't about spending, but saving. Wilmington has to find $4 million in budget cuts after New Hanover County's recent discovery that it miscalculated tax revenues.
"This was an unfortunate error, yet we will focus our energy and attention to solve this problem as we have done with our sewer system. It will not be easy and tough decisions will have to be made this council. But we will make them."
Saffo elaborated, "It will not be easy and tough decisions will have to be made. But we will make these tough decisions and re-do this budget. We look to control expenses, use reserves, live without some things in order to rebalance the budget."
Saffo also highlighted a number of ongoing city projects. Talking about the city's takeover of trash pickup last year, Saffo noted that complaints have dropped 78% and recycling has increased by roughly 10%.
The speech concluded with a look forward, as Saffo listing his priorities for the city in the coming year.
Those projects include "transferring work on our sewer system to the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority; the on-going drought in our region; the challenge to meet our commitment to provide city employees with badly needed pay raises; even as we face another budget shortfall..."
One forthcoming event Saffo lingered on was the May commissioning of the new USS North Carolina, a Virginia class nuclear attack submarine. While plans for the event have been ongoing, the mayor raised its profile tonight by announcing that the Secretary of the Navy, Donald Winter, will give the keynote address.
As he did last year, Saffo closed his address with the Athenian oath, reciting: We transmit this city not only, not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.
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You can hear the State of the City address by clicking on the audio file at the top of this article. Read the mayor's complete speech here
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