Mayor Touts Accomplishments

RECOMMENDS STRATEGY SESSION FOR FARMINGTON’S FUTURE

FARMINGTON — Mayor Ernie Penn highlighted commercial development, finances and increasing sales tax revenues, residential growth and a new state of the art high school in listing accomplishments that make Farmington prepared to meet the future.

Penn spoke during the February City Council meeting, giving the annual state of the city address to council members and those attending the meeting at City Hall.

City and county sales tax revenues continue to increase each year and this allows the city to have funds to expand city services, complete capital improvement projects and maintain excellent cash reserves.

“Our city will continue to budget very conservatively regarding income growth and maintain a tight control regarding expenses for each department,” Penn said, reading from his annual address.

He spent time talking about the future for the city and multiple capital improvement projects that will get underway in 2018.

These include the third phase to widen Highway 170 for two miles from Main Street to Clyde Carnes Road. The third phase in 2018 will be to acquire rights of way and relocate utilities.

The city is in negotiations with Farmington School District to purchase land near Williams Elementary for a new public works building. Improvements at Creekside Park will begin in 2018 in phases. Park projects are to include a new parking lot off Broyles Avenue, a new pavilion, restrooms, basketball and tennis courts, new playground and new walking trail.

Other projects this year will be to widen Double Springs from Main Street to Rheas Mill Road, improve drainage in the Southwinds subdivision, along Rainsong Road and along Garland McKee Road.

Also on tap are plans to expand Farmington Public Library and expand the police department area in City Hall.

Penn recommended the City Council begin another strategic planning process to consider the future of Farmington for the next five10 years. The last strategic session was held in 2012. He wants these work sessions to include elected officials, city employees, school representatives, the Planning Commission and Chamber of Commerce.

“I feel that this process will have a very positive impact on our community,” Penn said.

As he has mentioned in the past, Penn repeated his statement that the Council needs to approve a full-time mayor’s position with a salary based on experience and knowledge.

“It has become very evident with the growth of our city and the number of projects that we have outgrown having a part-time mayor,” Penn said. “A full-time mayor will greatly enhance city involvement with businesses and improve our efficiency in our day to day operations and improve communication with the public.”

He thanked everyone for their support of Farmington and said he looked forward to another successful year in 2018.

In closing, Penn announced he would be running for re-election for mayor in the November general election.

Penn