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City manager: State of the city is 'sound'

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January 25, 2012

by Laura Freeman | Reporter

Hudson -- City Manager Anthony Bales said the State of the City is on "sound" financial footing with a strong credit rating, positive economic development and greater efficiency with modern technology.

Bales discussed the State of the City Jan. 23 at the First Congregational Church of Hudson before a group of more than 50 people at an event hosted by Forever Young Inside, a church group for adults 55 and older.

"We're not currently in a financial emergency," Bales said. "We plan to address the challenges of the future."

The city's AAA bond rating helped it in 2011 to refinance $9.4 million in bonds and save $1.4 million in interest over the remaining term, Bales said. In 2012, the city will refinance another $9.4 million in bonds and save $800,000 more in interest.

Companies that broke ground in 2011 included the 62,000-square-foot Meyers Distributing headquarters at the Hudson Crossing Business Park, Bales noted.

Seasons Greene Eco-Industrial Park broke ground on Seasons Road, he said, and three projects are in progress: a 42-room skilled nursing facility on Barlow Road, a 12,800-square-foot addition at Laurel Lake Retirement Community, and an 83-bed assisted living facility named the Gables of Hudson on the former Waters restaurant site on state Route 91.

The city invested in new technology to increase efficiency and save time and money, according to Bales. The city mapped Hudson Public Power's electrical system so crews can locate lines quickly in the field for repairs and better service.

Hudson Public Power should complete installing its remote electric meters in 6,450 Hudson homes in 2012 and has begun installing remote water meters, which increase accuracy and save time by reading the meters in days instead of a month, Bales said.

A new city phone system and website allow better communication and increases transparency in government, Bales said.

Projects the city will work on in 2012 include the completion of Veterans Way Park in the spring. The restroom, pavilion and basketball courts are now completed, Bales said.

One of the major road project in 2012 is the city of Akron's repairs on the Stow Road waterline between Ravenna Street and state Route 303, according to Bales. The city will resurface Stow Road in September, adding bike lanes to each side.

In June 2012 the city will repair a sanitary sewer line along state Route 303 and then resurface the entire road in 2013.

"Travel in Hudson will be affected, but the progress is toward better roads," Bales said.

Hudson will lose approximately $2 million total in revenue from Ohio's Local Government Fund and the elimination of Ohio's estate tax, he said. The city will have to look at how to make additional cuts while continuing to provide a high level of service, Bales added.

"The process will be challenging and perhaps painful at times," he said. "Serious scrutiny is necessary now to prevent a declining fund balance in the future."

In 2012 the city will send out a citizens survey to evaluate current services and compare Hudson to other local governments.

"It will serve as a benchmark as we create a viable plan for the future," Bales said.

Bales did not give a date for when the survey will go out to residents.

Email: lfreeman@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3150




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