Issues:

 ● We must be prudent and fiscally responsible keeping in mind the needs of the citizens and the issues facing the community in allocating the increased revenues that the City will start to receive in 2008/2009 from the ADM expansion and other projects.

 ● Property taxes must be reduced.

The citizens of Clinton can not continue to pay higher and higher property taxes. We need to immediately reduce and ultimately remove over the next few years the $.27 per thousand emergency tax levy.

 ● With our projected increased revenues we must restore funding to several of our funds that have been siphoned off into the General Fund over the past few years to keep our General Fund Solvent.

● Roads and Street Maintenance.

In 2007/2008 the Council earmarked over 4.3 million dollars for street improvements. Similar amounts are planned for the next several years. Our new Pavement Management Software Program that was recently purchased will grade and rank the condition of all our streets thereby enabling the engineering department to provide long term planning and multi-year prioritizing of street maintenance and replacement. This is a valuable tool to assist the Council in developing a long range street program.

● We need to establish a Capital Equipment Plan.

Similar to depreciation in the private sector. Every piece of City equipment needs to be listed and a life expectancy established. Based on those life expectancies a Capital Equipment Replacement Plan can be established assisting in the yearly budget process. Replacement of equipment will be more easily budgeted for knowing the approximate year replacement will be needed, thereby, reducing the need for bond issues for equipment replacement. The Capital Equipment Fund can be allocated funds each budget year in anticipation of planned expenditures.

● High Sewer Rates.

Our high sewer rates have been caused by unfunded mandates. The Council and Staff must continue to request financial help from our State and Federal Legislators for these required sewer upgrades.

● We must continue to recruit and assist new businesses and industry to locate in our area.

● We need to continue to revitalize the older areas of town and improve our “quality of life” for all citizens.