Hudson -- The city has moved into the new Municipal Services Center at 115 Executive Parkway, Suite 400 from its former home at Town Hall and the Evaporator Works.
The departments located in the business park off Boston Mills Road include the city manager's office, communications, engineering, community development, economic development, finance, Clerk of Council and utility billing.
Residents can drop off a utility bill payment at the drop box outside Town Hall or in the reception area of the new facility, said city Communications Manager Jody Roberts.
"The move went very smoothly," Roberts said. "Everyone is now set up in their offices, although the place still has boxes piled high as we start to file everything away and put things back in their place."
The city made no significant changes to the new offices except to add a reception window to the front entrance, carpet repairs and some electrical work.
Residents can reach city departments as they have done in the past through phone calls, email or the city's website at www.hudson.oh.us. Public meetings will continue to be located at Town Hall. Council members will discuss other uses of the Town Hall at a future meeting.
Council members Jan. 16 unanimously approved a three-year lease with Jacklin Properties LLC for 11,283-square feet of office space for the consolidation of the seven departments under one roof.
"We have been examining ways to generate increased efficiency, improve services and operations and save money for taxpayers for some time," said City Manager Anthony Bales. "It was part of Council's Strategic Plan to improve government facilities."
City departments were located in multiple buildings in different locations in the city.
"With the Municipal Service Center, we will strategically improve the way our departments function and interact on a day-to-day basis," Bales said.
The city paid $81,000 per year for the space at the Evaporator Works, $10,438 per year for the First & Main Space for the economic development department, and $3,000 for storage fees, Roberts said. The new space will consolidate those three locations for approximately $83,000 per year.
Other departments, like public works and Hudson Public Power, could eventually be brought under the same roof, Roberts said. The three-year lease gives the city time to investigate what would work.
Email: lfreeman@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-541-9434
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