City Testimonials: "I hope that you have received 500 calls saying THANK YOU for the new playground at Bonforte Park! It is a terrific neighborhood park and we so appreciate the improvements. I walk by every day and see so many children and parents enjoying themselves." -Citizen Comment "The crew from Engine 15A were professional, knowledgeable, courteous, and extremely helpful, not only did this group of professionals represent the Fire Department in a positive light, they also speak to a city government that is responsive and courteous to the public."- Citizen Comment "We've found with projects we're doing, the City seems to be as proactive as they possibly can be." -Real Estate CEO "Grateful for the progress made by CSPD to curb shoplifting." -Business Loss Prevention Manager "Not only was my concern addressed in a professional and timely manner, but Finance Planning & Analysis Manager Leslie Hickey took the time to let me know that changes were on the way. This is the direct opposite of some folks' perception of local government." -Citizen Comment "Thank you very much for fixing the potholes on the round about for Squirrel Tail and Brainard as well as the divot by the water outlet on Squirrel Tail towards Musgrave. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" -Citizen Comment "Accounts Payable Supervisor Patti McFarland was true to her word, she called me back within days to give a status report. Then she called again to update me. Then, she called today to let me know she had been able to contact the unreachable tow company, received an invoice, and would be reimbursing the portion the business manager agreed to pay! I know that it was a sustained effort because I tried for several months and got nowhere. I can't express my overwhelming gratitude to Patti and your office for their work in this matter. We run a service-based business and try to learn from other organizations whenever we can. I will bring up this instance at our weekly meeting as an example of good service to be commended and followed.Thanks to you and Patti for the surprisingly positive experience I had with your office." -Local Small Business Owner "Thanks to Traffic Technician Pete Doyle, his community attitude to work with the residents is commendable. Thank you once again." -Citizen Comment "Streets Operations Manager Bard Lower has provided me superb customer service, above and beyond what could reasonably be expected. I know that this has been a priority for your administration, and I felt it important to let you know that it is working. Mr. Lower and his associates deserve kudos for their proactive, thorough handling of this five-year-old snow plowing issue and I am grateful to you as well for making the City more responsive to citizen requests." -Citizen Comment "As a new resident of Colorado Springs, it’s apparent that the City really does excel in taking care of its residents and treats its citizens more like neighbors and friends than just customers on a long “to-do” list. Thank you for all your exceptional service." -Citizen Comment

Mayor Meets American Council of Young Political Leaders Pt One

April 24, 2012 By

It’s so encouraging when people from different countries come together to discuss government issues and community concerns. It’s especially exciting when the American Council of Young Political Leaders from Romania and Croatia meet with the Mayor of the second biggest city in Colorado to exchange ideas.

 

Mayor Bach opened the meeting by welcoming the Young Political Leaders then shared a bit about himself. “My ancestors, who were farmers, came from Munich in the 1880′s, so my roots are European. I’m very glad you’re here.” He went on to describe the Mayor-Council form of Government and explain he was a businessman who entered politics towards the end of his career.

“I had one day of retirement. I spent it at home with my wife Suzi and at the end of that day, she suggested I go back to an office.”

“I’m blessed to live here, run a business and be able to help my community. It’s an honor to be in this office and exhilarating to help fellow citizens. It’s a complex job and I continue to learn more every day to help make things better,” said the Mayor.

Members of the American Council said the Mayor runs their city, but they have a two or three party system. In order for the Mayor to get anything done, they must have the majority on Council or they could be blocked for all four years.

“After I was sworn in on June 7, 2011, the first thing I did was ask to see the budget. Previously the budget was only looked at one year at a time. I wanted to know why we couldn’t look 3-5 years out. We project our revenue will increase moderately during that time, but costs will increase rapidly.  Our goal is to get stabilized financially. I am a pragmatic problem-solver. We need to move to priorities based budgeting and focus on core functions like public safety – police and fire.”

Next, ACYPL members and Mayor launched into a discussion on taxes, innovation and the pioneering spirit to be continued in Part Two.

Share
Filed Under: Arts and Culture, Budget, Governance, Leadership Tagged With: , ,

Mayor Welcomes Young Political Leaders Delegation

April 23, 2012 By

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Julie Smith

Communications Specialist

(719) 385-5256

 

 NEWS RELEASE

April 23, 2012

 

Mayor Welcomes American Council of Young Political Leaders Delegation from Croatia and Romania

Mayor Bach and El Pomar Foundation will welcome eight delegates from Croatia and Romania tomorrow. The delegation will be in Colorado as part of the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) Study Program. Mayor Bach will greet the delegates at the City Administration Building, Suite 601, at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 24.

During their visit the delegation will meet local and state leaders and nonprofit professionals, and will have a chance to taste the unique western way of life.

In 2011, El Pomar hosted its 51st delegation and 32nd country since the Foundation first partnered with ACYPL in 1994. Similarly, a number of El Pomar Foundation staff (and other Colorado leaders) have had opportunities to take part in outbound ACYPL delegations.

# # #

Share
Filed Under: Governance, Press Releases Tagged With: , ,

Mayor Bach’s May Townhall Meeting

April 23, 2012 By

 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Laura Benjamin

Communications Specialist

(719) 385-5484

 

NEWS RELEASE

April 23, 2012                                                                         

MAYOR BACH’S TOWNHALL MEETING SET FOR MAY 2, 2012

 

Mayor Steve Bach will hold his next Townhall Meeting on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at the Southeast YMCA from 6:30-8:00 pm. The Southeast Family Center/Armed Services YMCA is located at 2190 Jetwing Drive, Colorado Springs CO 80916. For directions, please visit http://southeast.ppymca.org/locations

Topics of discussion will include priorities for the Southeast section of Colorado Springs, Great Streets, City Budget and Community Advancing Public Safety (CAPS) among others. 

 

# # #

Share
Filed Under: Governance, Press Releases Tagged With: , , , ,

Mission Critical Appropriations Presented at Mayor’s Counsel Meeting

April 18, 2012 By

CONTACT:

Cindy Aubrey

Chief Communications Officer

(719) 385-5254

 

 

NEWS RELEASE                                                                             

April 18, 2012                                                                                     

Budget update and “mission critical” appropriations requests presented at Mayor’s Counsel Meeting

The April Mayor’s Counsel meeting was held today at Fire Station 18.  Members of City Council were presented with “mission critical” appropriations requests by Chief of Staff Laura Neumann, Fire Chief Rich Brown and Police Chief Pete Carey. The Budget Department also presented preliminary 2011 End of Year Financial Updates along with first quarter performance.

Based upon current pre-audited figures, the 2011 General Fund Balance grew by $6.8M due to approximately $1.1 million in revenue exceeding budget and $5.7 million due to expenditure savings.  Expenditure savings are largely due to salary and benefit savings from vacant positions.  In addition, required reserves declined by $1.9 million, in part because the $2.4 million debt service reserve is no longer required with the refunding of three Certificate of Participation (COP) issues.  In sum, the 2011 General Fund end-of-year available fund balance grew by $8.7 million to 17.34% of the 2012 General Fund expenditure budget. 

With only a few months of data, the preliminary 2012 financial update is based upon the current results of the sales and use tax forecast models compared to budget.  Because of the lag in sales tax collections, the information we have to date is based upon the April Sales and Use Tax Report which is February activity collected in March, reported in April. 

To date, activity has been stronger than the assumption upon which the 2012 budget was based.  At this time the models predict sales and use tax revenue will likely exceed the budgeted amount by approximately $4.9 million to $6.8 million, depending upon the probability assigned.  We caution however, that we only have two months of 2012 activity and the model has been moving sharply up and down over the past few months –sharply up after the most recent unusually positive report. 

In addition, there are significant risks to this forecast which have yet to be captured by the models, including increasing fuel prices and the impact high prices might have on consumer spending and an economic recovery that continues to flag with recent disappointing employment figures.

You will find the Mayor’s Span of Control Budget Highlights located here. 

###

Share
Filed Under: Budget, Governance Tagged With: , ,

News from Mayor Bach’s April Media Meeting

April 11, 2012 By

Mayor Steve Bach opened his April Media Meeting by naming a few of the inspiring people who made Colorado Springs a great city, including Spencer Penrose, General William Palmer, Zebulon Pike, the Tutts and the Loo Family.

One of his greatest inspirations was W.S. Stratton, a carpenter by trade who used the money he earned to prospect for gold each summer. He didn’t give up easily and year after year he’d try again. He finally struck $2 Million in paydirt with the Independence Mine, which he eventually sold for $10 Million in 1899. Winfield Scott Stratton was a generous person who donated land for City Hall, the Post Office, a major park and the Courthouse which now houses the Pioneer Museum.

Mayor Bach thanked Stephannie Finley for her service as she moves from the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce to her new position at UCCS. Stephannie was instrumental in proposing the Solutions Teams among other problem solving ideas. Mayor Bach said, “We couldn’t have made it without you, Stephannie!”

Then he stressed his three areas of focus: Jobs, Transforming City Government and Building Community.

“We want to make Colorado Springs the most business and citizen friendly city in the US – a best-in-class-city,” he said.

“The majority – about 70% – of our costs are in the people who make this city operate. I’m especially proud of our Executive Leadership Team – Fire Chief Rich Brown, Police Chief Pete Carey, Steve Cox Chief of Economic Vitality & Innovation, Chief of Staff Laura Neumann and Chris Melcher City Attorney.”

He said the City has eliminated 38 positions this year and have 95 vacancies. Approximately 820 acres of parkland are being watered including those that were reseeded last year. We’ve also outsourced 100% for weed control and we’re mowing all our parks.

The Mayor said, “Our City is on the move. Council is working hard and I’m optimistic about where we’re headed. Thanks to Council Members Merv Bennett and Tim Leigh for being here today. I appreciate that City Council confirmed unanimously the fine people selected for three positions on our team.”

Laura Neumann, Chief of Staff, then announced the three new appointments:

  • Helen Migchelbrink, Director of Public Works/City Engineer
  • Kathleen Krager, Transportation Manager
  • Kyle Campbell, Interim Director of Planning

In closing, the Mayor said, “Our key goal is to better empower City employees to do their jobs with as little red tape as possible.”

 UPCOMING EVENTS:

-Mayor’s Counsel meeting will be held on April 18th at Fire Station 18 at 10am

-Mayor’s Second Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 2nd at the Southeast YMCA from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Topics will include Great Streets, Streetscapes, CAPS program and will include public input about the budget.

Share
Filed Under: Governance, Mayor Bach News Tagged With: , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »