Carson City is better positioned for success than most cities in Nevada, Mayor Bob Crowell told a crowd at the Gold Dust West on Wednesday, but cautioned that leaders and residents need to remain vigilant and move ahead with unity of purpose.
"We have maintained our equilibrium, and I'm very thankful for that when other jurisdictions may not be doing so well," Crowell said.
More than 120 people turned out for the Chamber of Commerce's State of the City program, which was open to the public, and included a gourmet menu created by the chefs. The lineup of speakers included the mayor, Supervisor and Redevelopment Chairwoman Shelly Aldean, Sheriff Kenny Furlong and School Board President Joanna Wilson.
Crowell attributed the financial stability of the city this year to the efforts of the city staff who helped tackle some tough budget issues last year, and the collective bargaining units, which also made sacrifices for the good of the whole.
He also praised the many volunteer organizations throughout the city that "provide a level of comfort and dignity for those in need."
Crowell explained some of the history of the city's finances, saying that when it became clear that automobile sales - the city's biggest source of sales tax revenue - would take a hit, the city reduced the budget by 25 percent and trimmed 100 employees.
He also addressed unemployment in Carson City, which remains a top concern, even though it is declining.
"It's 13.4 percent which means 3,100 wage earners are out of work," he said, adding that about 25 percent of the city's storefronts are vacant.
"We're making progress, but much more is needed," he said.
In the wake of the legislative session, the city also now faces a $1.3 million mandate to fund a number of health and human services programs formerly covered by the state.
Despite numerous austerity measures, the city has made significant headway on a number of fronts, Crowell said, such as the north-south water transmission line, which will ensure better water quality for the city as well as Lyon and Douglas counties.
Other achievements include a multi-use activity center now on the drawing board, the final phase of the freeway construction expected to go out to bid in January, a newly revamped airport and extended runway, the V&T between Carson City and Virginia City, car dealerships moved to new locations, open space initiatives, the community greenhouse project and plans for a regional recycling center.
REDEVELOPMENT
Aldean explained that the focus of the redevelopment authority has shifted this year from incentive programs, which were necessary in their time to stimulate the economy, to infrastructure and tightening up funding for special events.
"There needs to be seed money until they're financially self-sufficient so we can look at other events" that might need support, she said.
Aldean also credited City Manager Larry Werner with coming up with "innovative, creative and cooperative" solutions to many major issues faced by the city in recent years.
She said there is also a new mood of cooperation between Carson City and Douglas County.
There was a time when Carson City was in "a feverish battle with our neighbors to the south" for sales tax dollars, and relationships with Douglas County were "frigid," but all that appears to be in the past as the city "continues to foster cooperative relationships" with all its neighbors.
CRIME
Sheriff Kenny Furlong said that since 1994, Carson City's crime rate has continued to drop.
"Your community is safe. The economy doesn't make criminals out of good people, and we have a strong strategic plan in place," Furlong said.
"Violence against people continues to fall, and we have stifled the gang violence in Carson City," he said.
The top 10 things his department responds to are not crime-related, but rather, calls such as, "Could you check on my neighbor?" he said.
The good news stops at violent crimes, however.
"One of the single biggest problems we're having right now are not dollars, but a surge in theft of recyclable materials. They're driving us crazy," Furlong said.
A serious threat to the progress the city has made is a cutback in grant funding, he said, because those dollars go directly into fighting gangs and drugs.
He said methamphetamine and marijuana use are battles that need to be fought, and that heroin is also starting to show up in the community.
SCHOOLS
School Board President Joanna Wilson credited Superintendent Richard Stokes and former superintendent Mary Pierczynski for their efforts on behalf of the district.
"We took a conservative financial approach," Wilson said. "We are the only financially solvent school district in the state of Nevada - maybe even in the West."
She explained that Clark County particularly, which is struggling, contribute to the state's overall bad record, but that Carson City consistently shines.
"Our graduation rate in 2010 was 91.9 percent - and we are working hard to raise that," she said, "and Pioneer High School graduated 50 students this year who would not otherwise have graduated."
Other achievements of note, she said, were Carson High School's four merit scholars this year, "an accomplishment that is unparalleled," a new full-day kindergarten pilot project, an online program to help struggling high school students recover credits and high-achieving students to work on higher credits, solar arrays at five schools which will save the district $500,000 annually in utility costs, and a new health occupation program at the high school.
She also noted that the district's 2010 Teacher of the Year, Cheryl Macy, a Carson High School English teacher, went on to become Nevada's Teacher of the Year. She also pointed out that Bordewich-Bray Elementary was recognized as having the best after-school program in the nation.
"The district's management team works tirelessly, and your kids are in really, really good hands," Wilson said.
Chamber of Commerce Director Ronni Hannaman reported that the chamber had adopted the Future Business Leaders of America program for Carson City students.
After the Wednesday program, Hannaman said she was pleased with the turnout of residents and business leaders, and appreciated the messages from officials, particularly the comments of Wilson.
"Joanna brought us all into focus on how great our school district truly is. I had never heard her before and she had the new material we needed to hear," Hannaman said.