Document - Historical information/data - Mayor Pat Geagan State of the City - 3/20/2003 Press Release
i
City of Eagan
March 20, 2003
Contact:
Tom Garrison
Director of Communications
Office (651) 675-5008 Pager (651) 610-0046
taarrisonCcityofeacian.com
Eagan Mayor Calls State of the City
Safe & Sound
(Eagan, MN)
Citing perhaps the two biggest issues on Minnesotan's minds international
terrorism and the economy—Eagan Mayor Pat Geagan sought to assure local
residents and business owners in the annual State of the City address Thursday.
"The state of the City is safe, but it can be safer," the mayor said. "It is
fiscally sound, but financially challenged in the next two years." The City, Geagan
concluded, "is and will remain, service—oriented."
Speaking on behalf of the entire City Council, the Mayor highlighted
numerous accomplishments of the previous council in 2002 and outlined the new
Council's goals in 2003. Among the accomplishments: Eagan has the lowest
expenditures per capita of any city in Minnesota with 50,000 or more
residents—$299 per person compared with a statewide average of$561. Eagan's
bond ratings places it in the top 6% of all cities nationwide.
Among the challenges: a proposed reduction in state aid and tax credits to
Eagan of$1.3 million for each of the next two years. Geagan said that careful
planning and operating reserves will minimize impacts on city services and
operations in 2003, but new ways must be found to reduce costs further in 2004.
Already Eagan will spend less money in 2003 for street improvements,
equipment replacement, and facility renewal. Training has been cut back and
certain projects have been delayed.
Other key 2003 Council goals include preserving green space, successfully
launching the new Eagan Community Center, encouraging land use opportunities
for the creation of a diverse housing mix, and recruiting attractive development and
redevelopment in Eagan.
The City Council met in retreat over three days in the past two months,
taking personal vacation time from their professional jobs to spend more than 20
hours in planning the City's goals. For more complete information on Council goals
and 2002 results look for the upcoming issue of the City's newsletter, Experience
Eagan, or log on to www.cityofeagan.com.