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“Traditional Values, Progressive Thinking”
 Over the past few months, I have had the wonderful opportunity to talk to several O’Fallon civic organizations about all the exciting things that are happening in our great city. The presentation is called the State of the City, and I encourage residents and civic organizations who are interested in finding out what is going in O’Fallon to contact me. I would be delighted to come and talk with your group.
The presentation begins by talking about the City’s budget. It may surprise you to know that the City does not receive very much revenue from the property tax. The City receives only 11% of the total property tax bill – the vast majority of your property taxes go to the schools. During this budget year, the City will receive a total of $2,504,528 in property tax revenue and only 7% of this amount goes into the General Fund. The General Fund is the main operating budget for the City, for such services as police, streets, parks, planning, code enforcement, engineering and finance.
The City also receives revenue in its General Fund from several other sources. By far, sales tax is the most important revenue source for the City, consisting of 56% of our income into the General Fund. This is particularly important to us because revenue that we receive from the State has been declining. Over the past three years, state funding has declined a total of $1,092,133. Needless to say, the generation of new sales tax revenue has become even more essential for our future.
Despite reduced revenue from the state, I am elated that numerous capital improvement projects have been completed over the past seven years including: Central Park Plaza Drive, 2nd floor of the Library, infrastructure for the YMCA, Illini Drive, new exit 16, Kyle Road, Pierce Boulevard extension and resurface, downtown parking lots, Highway 50/Hartman Lane intersection reconstruction, Seven Hills Road reconstruction and the new Public Safety Facility construction that is well underway.
Park improvements over the past seven years include: the State to Illini Bike Trail, St. Ellen Mine Park, Community Pool renovation, Katy Cavins renovation, new Community Park playground, new Thoman Park, and the new Rock Springs Park and Amphibian Pond.
In addition to these improvements, I am extremely pleased that we were able to complete several Proposition S projects last year. For the first time in more than 20 years, over 41 streets or 12.5 miles were resurfaced, 12,000 feet of sidewalk improvements were made and a stormwater drainage study was launched. This year approximately 51 streets will be resurfaced, 5,000 feet of sidewalk improvements will be made and stormwater drainage repairs will begin as soon as we receive the final stormwater drainage study report.
We will also be completing two capital improvement projects during FY 2004-2005. West Highway 50 will be resurfaced and Old Collinsville Road will be reconstructed. New Park improvements for FY 2004-2005 include the Rock Springs Nature Center and the Family Sports Complex.
Thanks to your support and patience, we have been able to accomplish so many major projects over the past seven years and am anxious to begin the projects that we have planned for this year. As always, I welcome your suggestions and comments and encourage you to contact me at 624-4500. It is through your input and dialog on important issues that we will make O’Fallon an even better place to live and work. It is an honor to serve as your Mayor, and I appreciate being given the opportunity to work for the residents of O’Fallon.
Gary L. Graham
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