It is always exciting as we enter a new year to see what progress we will make and what opportunities will be presented. Last year was full of unexpected events, including a natural disaster. Through this tragedy you showed how compassionate and resilient we are as a community.

Your city staff is looking forward to continuing our evolution as a team to provide streamlined processes and continual updates to our planning. A key item on our list is the update to the city’s Comprehensive Plan. This plan sets the vision for the future of our community; having you involved in commenting or reviewing the plan ensures that the vision is one that is shared.

You will read in this update how you can participate.

We have also started an update of some of the aging and unreliable equipment used in our Police and Fire services, with updated police vehicles and fire equipment that will serve you for the next decade.

We have begun the process to upgrade our computer technology with a focus on cyber security and easy access to secured stored data. This migration to cloud storage will allow us to more cost-effectively store the data required and also will improve access to that data.

Early in the year we will recruit and hire a new Director of Finance to replace Jim Chase, who retired in late 2014.

Public Safety Director Bruce Stedman will complete the implementation of the next three phases of the public safety improvement program to align us to a community policing service that provides an improved link between police and our citizens. Our community and economic development staff are busy with general information meetings on potential new businesses that will help fill some empty spaces and bring new building as well. Stay tuned to our weekly e-newsletters for updates as plans progress.

This year we will also complete another 40 sections of road preservation and maintenance funded by the Transportation Benefit District.  Projects are scheduled across the city and you can follow the plans on our website. Haller Park parking lot expansion is scheduled, and we are hopeful to acquire the additional capital funding to complete the bathroom upgrade.

We have staff involved in planning to explore an expanded library, as well as development of a community resource center for family assistance, a regional designation as a Manufacturing Industrial Center to help promote family wage jobs here in the city, and a partnership with EVCC and WSU for

access to programs to ensure we are building the workforce for the future.

By late spring, early summer we expect to receive the final draft of an Economic Redevelopment Plan, funded by a grant from the Economic Development Agency. This is a partnership with our neighbors to ensure we build a viable resilient future for Arlington and surrounding communities.

This year we welcome Paul Ellis to his new position as City Administrator. You can read about Paul’s qualifications and goals in the January update.  Succession planning will continue to be a focus in 2015 and beyond as we accept the retirement of team members and ensure a smooth transition to keep our services and progress on track.

-Barbara Tolbert is the mayor of Arlington