MonticelloLive

The State of the City address, printed below, was presented at the Monticello City Council Meeting, by Mayor Joe Rogers.
 
As your Mayor of the City of Monticello, I first would like to welcome each and every one of you, city council members, city employees, friends, distinguished guests and fellow Monticellonians. This evening we have come together to celebrate our City, both our progress over this past year, and the opportunities in our future, as we continue to envision ways to make the City of Monticello the best it can be for all of us. A City we can call Home.
 
One year ago, I took the oath to serve as your mayor; I undertook the great challenge of trying to move Monticello forward. It has been an honor to serve you and I believe that together we can lead Monticello into the future. I have asked myself over and over again what is it that we must do to move Monticello into the future. We must start by all of us working together.
 
I have learned that Monticellonians are people of great determination and optimism. Our optimism comes from knowing that we are a City proud of our heritage and our traditions. Our determination will not allow us to be dissuaded from fulfilling the potential that we know is inside every individual in this city.
 
Many improvements were made in 2007, such as the purchase of a truck for the transfer station in the amount of $14,600.75, purchasing of a new police car in the amount of $20,495.00, purchasing of a new sport utility vehicle for the Monticello Fire Department in the amount of $26,652.00, purchasing a garbage truck in the amount of $102,500.00, purchasing of a flat bed dump truck in the amount of $55,559.00, purchasing of new bleachers for the Monticello Sports Complex in the amount of $39,870.00, and the improvements of our street overlays in the amount of $350,000.00.
 
Several resolutions and ordinances were approved through city council such as, establishing a Fair Housing Act, establishing a policy prohibiting the use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies, establishing a residential anti-displacement and relocation assistance plan, accepting a lease agreement with the Monticello School District to install an antenna on the Conrad Water Tank, permission for the City to apply for a 85/15 grant to the USDA to purchase a
rescue truck, approval supporting the renewal and extension of the Drew County’s one percent road tax, approval to make application for a 100% grant from the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics to move underground power lines, purchase electrical supplies to maintain taxiway lights at the airport, approval to make application for grants from the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics to pave a public parking area at the airport that is a 50/50 grant, and the renewal of the City’s one cent sales tax for 15 years.
 
In addition, grants were received in the amount of $152,105.00 from the Federal Aviation Administration for the Terminal Area Fencing, $7,500.00 from the Forestry Commission for a stump grinder and trees for the Monticello Sports Complex, $409,000.00 from the State Department of Aeronautics for the Apron Access and T-Hangar at the Monticello Municipal Airport, and $315,000.00 from the Arkansas Department of Economic Development for assistance in the cost of the construction of the Price Water Tank.
 
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for always putting the interests of our Monticello citizens first. While no one can promise perfection, I know that each of you share with me the obligation to continue the progress we have certainly made over this past year.  I would like to thank the hard workers and dedication from our City’s Department and Division Managers, along with their hard working staff and all our City employees.
 
As we embark upon the next three years together, we will not rest on our past successes. Instead, we will continue to reach beyond our own standards to create a better future for generations of Monticellonians to come, by the determination of our people.
 
Thank you and May God bless you.
 
 
Joe Rogers, Mayor
City of Monticello