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2022/01/19 - Walter's Blog: Best of 2021

Democracy on the Front Lines
City Administrator’s Blog
Walter Denton
Best of 2021
  

As we enter a new year, it is common to see “Best of” lists in newspapers, magazines, and web sites. 2021 was still a difficult year due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, but there were some bright spots. 

COVID-19: As vaccines were administered throughout the country, many activities resumed, and people were able to live a somewhat “normaller” life. We were still dealing with variants and surges, and restrictions remain. 

Municipal Elections: Elections were on April 6 for the following positions: Mayor, City Clerk, City Treasurer, and seven seats on the City Council. Mayor Herb Roach ran unopposed, as did seven of the nine other positions up for election. Here are the winners: 

  • Mayor: Herb Roach (re-elected unopposed) 
  • City Clerk: Jerry Mouser (re-elected unopposed) 
  • City Treasurer: David Hursey (re-elected unopposed) 
  • Ward 1: Ross Rosenberg (re-elected unopposed) 
  • Ward 2: Jerry Albrecht (re-elected in contested race) 
  • Ward 3: Roy Carney (newly elected in contested race) 
  • Ward 4: Stephanie Smallheer (newly elected unopposed) 
  • Ward 5: Chris Monroe (re-elected unopposed) 
  • Ward 6: James Campbell (newly elected unopposed) 
  • Ward 7: Dan Witt (re-elected unopposed) 

Property Tax Relief Program: The City Council’s Finance & Administration Committee spent seven months evaluating the City’s various revenue sources to develop a strategy that would provide tax equity and funding the City’s long-term capital needs. On December 20, the City Council approved the Property Tax Relief Program that reduced the property tax levy by $780,000 and increased the sales tax by ½-cent. The Program will be cost neutral to taxpayers and will provide around $1 million per year for capital projects to implement the new 2040 Master Plan (see below). 

2040 Master Plan: City Council and Staff spent over a year developing a long-range plan for the future of O’Fallon. Considerable public feedback was collected (even in a pandemic), and goals and objectives were identified in the following areas: Cultural Identity, Safe & Healthy Community, Built Environment, Natural Environment, and Resilient Economy. 

Strategic Plan: While the Master Plan casts a vision for the next 20 years, the Strategic Plan identifies specific actions that should be taken in the next 3-5 years to implement the Master Plan. Action steps in the Strategic Plan will be included in the 2022-23 Annual Budget for implementation. 

Parks Master Plan: Independent from the Master Plan, a long-range plan was developed specifically for the O’Fallon park system. After receiving public input on citizen priorities, improvements were identified at the City’s existing parks and recommendations were made on establishing new parks as O’Fallon grows to the north and west. In addition, a comprehensive study was conducted on the Community Pool in anticipation of its replacement in the next 3-5 years. 

Budget: COVID-19 caused considerable budget challenges in 2020, but revenues recovered in 2021. Sales tax continues to do well, and Hotel/Motel Tax and Food/Beverage Tax revenues are recovering after substantial declines in 2020. 

Census: The 2020 Census reported that O’Fallon is home to 32,289 people. This is a 14% increase from the 2010 Census (28,281 population). Cities receive revenue from the State of Illinois according to population, so we estimate the City will receive around $1.2 million in additional revenue because of our increased population. 

Economic Development: Despite the pandemic, economic development continued in O’Fallon: 

  • Shops at Richland Creek: Construction continues on this commercial development that includes restaurants, retails, office buildings. 
  • Fairfield Inn: A new hotel opened on Central Park Drive. 
  • Metro East Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center: This is another excellent health care center located on Regency Park Drive next to the Cancer Care Center and across from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. 
  • W. Hwy. 50 Office Building: A new four-story office building opened on Hwy. 50 near Green Mount Road. 
  • Downtown Redevelopment: The Downtown District continues to thrive with new stores and the resumption of festivals and special events. The City’s Façade Improvement Program resulted in some nicer storefronts in 2021. 
  • Vine Street Market: The farmer’s market at O’Fallon Station returned in full force and was bigger than ever. It was so successful that the Market won the ILGOV21 Tourism Award for “Most Engaged Community Partner” at the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism. 

Public Infrastructure: 2021 was another busy year for construction. Here are some highlights: 

  • Pavement Management Program: $1.7 million was spent to repave and repair O’Fallon streets. This is a multi-year project that will address the maintenance of all city streets. 
  • Presidential Street improvements: Construction was extensive on both the east and west sides of Lincoln to make road, water, sewer, and stormwater improvements. This is funded through the voter-approved Proposition S ½-cent sales tax. 
  • Venita Drive reconstruction: This was the last phase of improvements surrounding the Family Sports Park, with improvements from Taylor Road to the Simmons Road roundabout. The project also included turn lanes in and out of the park. 

We live in an attractive and safe community with great neighborhoods, schools, and parks. We will continue to work hard to provide exceptional services and to maintain O’Fallon’s superior quality of life.