Nearly 700 people attended the annual State of the City Address in Peoria to find out what’s in store for Peoria in 2012.  At the event, hosted by the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Jim Ardis said “I’m glad 2011 is history.  It was another challenging year at City Hall – as it was for many of you – but overall the accomplishments were more numerous than the setbacks.”

Visit us on Facebook for photos from the event.  Click here for a text version of the mayor's speech.

Mayor Ardis shared some of his visions for 2012 saying there is a need for serious discussions with business and community leaders regarding the challenges that remain in front of us.  He highlighted the City Manager’s plan which has identified five key objectives for the city to focus on in 2012:  
1.    Smart Population Growth
2.    Financially Sound City Government
3.    Grow Business
4.    Responsive Efficient city organization
5.    Lively Downtown/Warehouse District

On the topic of downsizing city staff, Mayor Ardis said through an early retirement incentive program and modification to some departments, city workforce was reduced resulting in a $5 million dollar reduction in salaries and benefits. “This downsizing process forced the city to analyze, identify and rank core services in order to develop a plan to deliver these services most appropriately and to ‘live within our means.’”  His ‘PASS FORWARD’ committee continues to explore whether more efficient government and taxpayers savings can be attained by sharing or integrating services between the city and county and he indicated that Sheriff McCoy and Police Chief Settingsgaard continue their discussions of a potential combined county-city police force, with an eye toward efficiently improving public safety.  “Acknowledging considerable logistical and contractual obstacles, I proposed a target of achieving this consolidation within 5 years.”
One more hurdle ahead for Peoria in 2012 will be the negotiation of four of the city’s labor contracts.  The mayor said he has no intention of downplaying the vitally important contribution of these employees but “I’m just being realistic, some things have to change if we’re going to survive.” 
The mayor also had a strong message regarding crime in Peoria announcing that in 2012, the Peoria Police Department and the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office will join forces with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Peoria County State’s Attorney and other significant state and federal law enforcement personnel to form a full time task force whose mission will be to target the most violent of criminal offenders in our community and bring them to justice. This stepped up effort is partially in response to the death of 8 year old Albert Billups who was the victim of a drive-by shooting while he slept in his bed.
Mayor Ardis said while there are many challenges ahead for 2012, we have much to celebrate especially the outstanding rankings and recognitions the city has received:   “Best Performing Cities” by the Milken Institute, “Best Midsized Cities for Job Growth” by NewGeography.com, “Best Credit Score” by Experian and “Best Places for Business and Careers” by Forbes Magazine.  You can view the list of 2011 rankings and recognitions at www.heartlandpartnership.org.
The event was held at the Peoria Civic Center, hosted by the Peoria Area chamber of Commerce and sponsored by PSA Dewberry and RLI.  For text of the mayor’s speech  be sure to visit www.peoriachamber.org later this week.