Citrus Heights State of the City 2020

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The City of Citrus Heights hosted a virtual State of the City on October 20. More than 300 participants joined the meeting live through Zoom. A recording of the event posted to the City’s website and multiple broadcasts on the local government affairs channel allowed even more residents to view the meeting.

Mayor Jeff Slowey, who has served on the City Council for the last 17 years, opened by calling this year unprecedented: “We’re living through a pandemic that has had a huge impact on our community’s economy, our children’s school routine, our work environments, our social lives, and so much more.”

Despite the challenges, Mayor Slowey said that City officials and staff remain committed to serving the community. He illustrated this point by describing how all City projects are linked to one of the Council’s three-year strategic goals: maintain fiscal stability, improve streets and infrastructure, diversify for a changing economy, enhance and expand public safety, and improve community vibrancy and engagement.

Mayor Slowey lauded the City’s continued business and economic development, such as welcoming new businesses, adapting aging retail properties, and hosting business appreciation events. In May, online business permit requests broke records, showing that business was moving forward despite the pandemic. The City put the 11-acre New Sylvan property on the market, which offers the potential for exciting new development along the Auburn Blvd. corridor.

The City also made progress on major projects and key initiatives, including the electric greenway trail project, the Sunrise Mall revitalization, the census outreach campaign, and the Safe Routes to Schools project.

To support businesses during the pandemic, the City launched the Love Local campaign to help residents find local essential businesses where they could shop safely. They also connected local businesses with COVID-relief services and participated in the Great Plates Delivered program, which funds local restaurants to provide meals to at-risk seniors.

When COVID first hit, City officials began meetings with county, state, and federal leaders to ensure the City had up-to-date information and resources as staff worked to adapt to public health orders and maintain city services. Mayor Slowey also expressed admiration for the community, who pulled together during this crisis, checking in on each other, sharing food, and sewing masks for first responders.

City Manager Chris Boyd said, “Our community is engaged, and that is essential to good government.”  Economic stability and fiscal prudence and transparency are top priorities for community members, and Boyd highlighted the City’s transparency by citing the frequent budget reviews and financial forecasting.  Boyd noted the City’s anticipated budget shortfall, a reality known and planned for since incorporation in 1997: “We are in the midst of that time right now and are dedicated to getting through it successfully.”

Prior to COVID, City staff had already reduced expenses, saving $1 million. The pandemic has only tightened what Boyd said was already a “very lean budget.”

“The city of Citrus Heights is committed to providing high-quality, economical, responsive city services to our community,” said Boyd. “Citrus Heights has been and always will be a city that takes its future into its own hands. I know that this pandemic has been hard, but I also know that our solid community roots will help us weather the storm.”

Citrus Heights Police Department (CHPD) Chief Ron Lawrence echoed that sentiment: “We’re in this together—whether it’s a pandemic, whether it’s battling wildfires in California, whether it’s dealing with civil unrest or social change—we’re all in this together.”

During the pandemic, the CHPD worked to keep officers safe while maintaining services. By partnering with other jurisdictions in the county, they ensured a consistent message about the public health crisis with an emphasis on education and asking for voluntary compliance with public health orders. They also partnered with the City and the County to give 14,000 free masks to local businesses so they could operate safely.

In his address, Chief Lawrence credited the department’s accomplishments to the dedicated officers, 911 dispatchers, and professional staff who ensure quick and effective responses to emergencies and crime. Lawrence said that over the last four years, there has been an 18% reduction in crime rates, and 2019 saw the lowest crime rate since the department’s inception—in both violent crimes and property crimes. He also highlighted some of the department’s top programs, including the holiday referral program, the youth mentorships programs, the drone program, the bait program, the traffic program, and the Navigator program.

Chief Lawrence noted the civil unrest across the country and affirmed the CHPD’s support of citizens’ right to peacefully assemble and protest. He said, “We’re your neighbors. We’re your friends. We want the same things that you do, and that’s to feel safe, secure, and to be treated fairly.” He promised, “We’re here for you, and we’ll always be here for you.”

Mayor Slowey said, “We are at a pivotal time in our city’s history. … I want to conclude tonight by being very realistic with you: Making our vision for the city’s future a reality is going to take a lot more dedication and community involvement.”

“One of easiest ways to share your voice is to vote. When I say that our city is at a pivotal moment in time, I mean that on multiple levels. Our COVID resilience and recovery is absolutely crucial, yes, but so are the decisions that you make at the ballot box this November. For the first time in city history, our residents will be electing City Council members by district, with Districts 1 and 3 up this year. And we also have a local measure, Measure M, on the ballot.”

Mayor Slowey is not running for re-election this year, so he just has a couple months left on the Council. He said, “My hope is that everyone who has watched tonight’s broadcast will feel called to join City officials and staff by sharing your voice, getting involved, and connecting with us. That would be a wonderful legacy for me to leave.”

Visit http://citrusheights.net/sotc to watch the State of the City address and to participate in a poll about the next round of strategic planning for the City.