Public works achievements, the extension of health services, budgetary constraints and optimism during uncertain times were the main themes El Centro Mayor Sedalia Sanders talked about during her State of the City speech Thursday.
The Wilson Junior High School band played as people gathered at the El Centro Community Center. The idea to start the event with music came from the mayor, who wanted to bring a sense of calm and unity, Sanders said after the meeting.
But before Sanders took the podium, the El Centro Chamber of Commerce gave its State of the Chamber Address through its president Cherisse Alford.
A partnership between the chamber and the Workforce Development Board to discuss the city’s business climate, and the chamber’s push for the Naval Air Facility El Centro to base the F-35 joint strike fighters were the beginning issues of Alford’s speech.
And while she noted a loss of membership mainly from real estate business, “last year we had 55 new members,” Alford said.
And then came the mayor.
“Each new mayor that comes into his or her term establishes a theme,” said Sanders. “My theme this year is: In uncertain times, optimism flourishes.”
The new El Centro Regional Medical Center Outpatient Clinic, street repairs, the relocation of the library, the construction of Fire Station No. 3 and the upcoming Martin Luther King Skate Park were brought forward by Sanders while slides were shown to the more than 125 people in attendance.
“I think there are some things that we can applaud as far as accomplishments,” she said.
Some 80 percent of city streets are expected to be repaired by July with a cost of about $5 million, said Sanders. “And your street or neighborhood may be next,” she said.
But in her speech Sanders also noted the city’s budgetary problems. This comes as expenses are expected to exceed the city’s revenues in a “worst-case scenario” by 2017.
“Yes, we have to limit spending,” Sanders said while discussing the phasing out of the Redevelopment Agency, the seven staff positions left vacant and the freezing of salary increases negotiated with the bargaining units.
“I’m sorry we cannot deliver that,” she said about salary increases, and “all of us are deeply grateful to our employees to give this city a strong and prominent future.”
But the City Council is not “shirking any of its responsibilities,” Sanders said as she explained the city is looking for additional revenue streams to fund programs and services.
“We are going to continue all of those programs and projects that help enhance your quality of life,” she said.
Sanders concluded her speech as she started, with a positive mood.
“Yes, today there may be a cloud, and that cloud is one of uncertainty,” she said, “but as I came over here this morning from my home I saw the sun rising.”
Staff Writer Alejandro Davila can be reached at 760-337-3445 or adavila@ivpressonline.com
The Wilson Junior High School band played as people gathered at the El Centro Community Center. The idea to start the event with music came from the mayor, who wanted to bring a sense of calm and unity, Sanders said after the meeting.
But before Sanders took the podium, the El Centro Chamber of Commerce gave its State of the Chamber Address through its president Cherisse Alford.
A partnership between the chamber and the Workforce Development Board to discuss the city’s business climate, and the chamber’s push for the Naval Air Facility El Centro to base the F-35 joint strike fighters were the beginning issues of Alford’s speech.
And while she noted a loss of membership mainly from real estate business, “last year we had 55 new members,” Alford said.
And then came the mayor.
“Each new mayor that comes into his or her term establishes a theme,” said Sanders. “My theme this year is: In uncertain times, optimism flourishes.”
The new El Centro Regional Medical Center Outpatient Clinic, street repairs, the relocation of the library, the construction of Fire Station No. 3 and the upcoming Martin Luther King Skate Park were brought forward by Sanders while slides were shown to the more than 125 people in attendance.
“I think there are some things that we can applaud as far as accomplishments,” she said.
Some 80 percent of city streets are expected to be repaired by July with a cost of about $5 million, said Sanders. “And your street or neighborhood may be next,” she said.
But in her speech Sanders also noted the city’s budgetary problems. This comes as expenses are expected to exceed the city’s revenues in a “worst-case scenario” by 2017.
“Yes, we have to limit spending,” Sanders said while discussing the phasing out of the Redevelopment Agency, the seven staff positions left vacant and the freezing of salary increases negotiated with the bargaining units.
“I’m sorry we cannot deliver that,” she said about salary increases, and “all of us are deeply grateful to our employees to give this city a strong and prominent future.”
But the City Council is not “shirking any of its responsibilities,” Sanders said as she explained the city is looking for additional revenue streams to fund programs and services.
“We are going to continue all of those programs and projects that help enhance your quality of life,” she said.
Sanders concluded her speech as she started, with a positive mood.
“Yes, today there may be a cloud, and that cloud is one of uncertainty,” she said, “but as I came over here this morning from my home I saw the sun rising.”
Staff Writer Alejandro Davila can be reached at 760-337-3445 or adavila@ivpressonline.com
