After weathering a difficult fiscal year, the city of Logansport is better positioned to attract and retain good-paying jobs as well as employees with 21st century skill sets.
That’s the synopsis of the State of the City Mayor Dave Kitchell offered Wednesday at an annual luncheon sponsored by the Logansport/Cass County Chamber of Commerce.
“The state of Logansport is optimistic,” Kitchell told a crowd of 200 gathered for the State of the City/County Luncheon.
The mayor said one rating service indicates Logansport has a livability index rating of 72, which is one point better than the Indiana rating and two points ahead of the rest of the nation. Additionally, property taxes were lowered and a new purchased power agreement will lower electric rates.
“Our median age (35) is below the state average and the average of some regional counties which is a positive growth signal,” he said.
“In 2017, we must address utility-related issues as a community. If we think of the city as a big store, the electric utility would have been our loss leader in 2016 at almost $7 million. In contrast, our civil city general fund budget was about that much last year. We have to make our utilities a profit center that restores an aging infrastructure in our city. By many measures, we are a more fiscally sound, vibrant community that aspires to be better in 2017, and to reach higher goals. We must continue to address housing quality, retail selection, workforce training and sense of place – all of which fall under the umbrella of economic development.
“We have a potent community spirit, a fresh, collective vision for what our generation wants Logansport to become and the necessary civic commitment to join forces, invest in the future and surpass the goal of being an exceptional Indiana community. We believe in Logansport and its people.”
City officials held the line on new taxes and bonding during 2017, and despite losing $2.9 million in general fund property tax caps, city funds grew almost 12 percent. Major accomplishments included the re-emergency of a city/county drug task force, a $300,000 grant for fire department equipment and a $1 million grant for paving.
Construction in Logansport rose 37 percent last year to $14.6 million.
Press Release, Mayor Dave Kitchell
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