Mayor: City growth to continue

By Susan Larson | The Daily Journal

Published Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Fergus Falls Mayor Russell Anderson sees a bright future for the city — a future that includes more growth and progress.

Fergus Falls is coming off its largest contstruction year to date, with $29 million in projects on the books for 2007.

It’s only going to get better this year, Anderson said Monday in his annual State of the City address.

“Our community is continuing to see many signs of progress,” Anderson said.

Progress was evident in last year’s building activity:

• 18 new residential permits were issued, resulting in $3.5 million worth of new construction.

• 16 new commercial permits, resulting in $19 million worth of new construction.

• Additions and renovations brought in another $6.5 million

“The proposed projects for 2008 are expected to double that figure,” Anderson said.

The city’s two municipal liquor stores also had “a very prosperous year in 2007, bringing in more than $4.6 million in sales, which is a $134,00 increase over 2006,” Anderson said.

More than $225,000 of the liquor proceeds are transferred to the general fund to lower the general fund’s tax levy, thereby keeping taxes down for residents, he said.

Completion of the Cascade Bridge project and million-gallon west-side water tank highlighted the engineering department last year. Projects this year include planning the 2009 Tower Road bridge project; the final clarifier at the wastewater treatment plant; storm drainage projects; numerous infrastructure projects; and plans for the pavement management system.

Working for legislation to help its residents is also important. Local Government Aid and property tax relief (which included incentives for redevelopment of the RTC) and transportation funding were the main issues the city worked for last year.

“Unfortunately, both the tax and transportation bills were vetoed by the governor,” Anderson said. “In 2008, we again support increases to Local Government Aid and passage of a comprehensive road and transit funding program.”

Last year was the busiest in terms of activity associated with the Regional Treatment Center. The city took ownership of the RTC campus, including the Kirkbride building in June. Plans are in the works for a Minnesota Institute for Cross Cultural Studies, which will locate to the Kirkbride facility.

“What an exciting project and opportunity for our community,” Anderson said.

Some other important facts and figures:

• The Fergus Falls Police Department received 10,673 calls last year. Of that amount, 537 were accidents/property damage/personal injury; 77 burglaries; 497 thefts; 31 sexual assaults; 239 child abuse/neglect reports.

• The Fergus Falls Fire Department answered 229 calls. Of that number, 30 were actual fires with a total $832,300 dollar loss.

• There were 1,806 participants in 2007 youth summer recreation programs. Softball fields are being reconditioned and new lights are ready on two fields, with more to come this year.

• Fergus Falls is the longest-running Tree City USA in the state. Working with the Forestry Department, the city will plant more than 200 trees to replace boulevard trees.

“Fergus Falls is a community full of pride,” Anderson said. “We have a lot to be proud of in this community and hope to continue offering the residents no only basic services, but opportunities for true community spirit.”