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Loading...Editor’s note: The following is the complete text from Tooele City Mayor Patrick Dunlavy’s “State of the City” address during Wednesday’s city council meeting.
“Chairman McCall, members of the city council, department heads, Tooele City administration and staff, and citizens of the ‘Greatest City in Utah,’ I stand proudly before you tonight to report on the state of this wonderful city.
“Last year at this time, I talked about significant projects that were planned. Those included the expansion of the wastewater reclamation facility, the southeast bench waterline project, two new water wells, upgrading the roads in the Tooele City Cemetery, the Tooele Applied Technology College building, as well as completion of the new Skyline Nature Park. As you can see there was a lot going on last year, and I’m very pleased to report on these projects.
“First, the wastewater reclamation facility has been completed. With the facility in place, we now have a state of the art process. With the addition to the wastewater plant, we now produce certified water for reuse purposes and the plant also now produces a product from the solids process that is certified to meet the State standards for use as a fertilizer, saving the city thousands of dollars.
“The southeast bench waterline project is complete. For the first time we now have the capability to move water from our wells and reservoirs, especially to the bench areas on the east and southeast sections of the city.
“The planning and permitting for two new culinary water wells is complete. Bids have been received and the contract for the drilling of the first well has been signed. Drilling will begin in early spring. As the first well is completed, we will start drilling the second well. These two new wells will add an additional estimated 2,000 to 3,000 gallons of water per minute to our water source.
“The first phase of the cemetery road improvement project is complete. Additional improvements will be added this coming year.
“The beautiful Tooele Applied Technology building will open in a few weeks. This was a significant investment by our Tooele City Redevelopment Agency. Our vision and hard work made this possible. Our partnership with the Applied Technology College will bring wonderful training and educational opportunities never before available to our citizens. It is built on a foundation of unprecedented cooperation, not only with the Tooele Applied Technology College, but Utah State University. Our city has become a shining example to others around the state. Our commitment to the educational corridor that we’ve created will continue as we move our beautiful city forward. Much thanks to the city council, the State Applied Technology Board, President Scott Snelson of the Tooele Applied Technology College and especially Mr. Randy Sant, our redevelopment agency consultant for making history in making this project happen.
“The new beautiful Skyline Nature Park is complete. What a remarkable and beautiful addition to our city.
“As you can see, these projects have been completed. We are a city that plans, identifies financing, and completes projects. Each of these projects adds significant additional pieces for the future. We refuse to stand still and be complacent, while at the same time not getting ahead of ourselves or our finances. You as residents deserve and receive honest, experienced, leadership.
“Important projects still need to be done. New police and fire facilities are at the top of the list. When the finances for these two facilities come together, we will complete them as well. We’ll continue to upgrade our current existing infrastructure, plan additional park improvements, make upgrades to the golf course and continue to support the best library ever. We are very fortunate to have exceptional police officers and firefighters. Support for them will continue to be a priority.
“I believe it is very important for each of you to know your city is financially sound. My philosophy is now, and will always be, to carefully protect how and when we spend your tax dollars. I pledge to each of you, I will continue to plan projects and complete projects within the available funding. I am not asking for additional money. Each of you should not be required to pay additional taxes. I take very seriously that I was elected to manage the city; I’ll do it with the funding that is available. The recession continues to play a significant role in decisions that concern finances. Recovery is still slowly moving forward, but we are not standing still.
“The future holds exciting wonderful opportunities to make our beautiful city a better, more vibrant, safe place to raise our families and find jobs. We will continue our successful efforts to create new employment opportunities, and continue to recruit new businesses. As part of that effort, we are working extremely hard to secure a new retail center. We have been working with a retail developer to accomplish this very important and exciting project. I know there are a lot of questions concerning this project: Who’s coming? When will it be open? What will it look like? I promise you, when everything comes together, we’ll answer all those questions.
“I am very grateful to my staff. They are wonderful people who are dedicated to their work. Their knowledge and experience is second to none. I trust them and rely on them to make sure we accomplish the responsibilities of managing this special city. I’m so very proud of the expertise, knowledge and dedication of the finest police officers and firefighters who serve our community — there are none better anywhere. I thank the employees of Tooele City. I thank them for the sacrifices they make and the great job they do. To the members of the city council, I sincerely express my gratitude. They are honest caring people, with character, knowledge and experience, who truly are invested in the city and committed to their responsibilities. I am fortunate, as I say often, to be their partner in leading our great city.
“It is truly a privilege and honor to serve you as your mayor. I believe we’ve accomplished exceptional things for our city. I’m extremely happy as I look to the future. I’m also very grateful you’ve allowed me this wonderful opportunity to serve. I have a tremendous love for this city, a passion for the work and a commitment to make it better every day. I’m committed also to further the working relationships with the county commissioners and Grantsville City Mayor Marshall — working together we can accomplish much.
“I love my family — my wife Pam, my daughters Lisa and Kenzie, my sons Patrick and Kasey and their beautiful families. They are my personal foundation. Their support and encouragement strengthens my resolve so much. I am so very proud of who they are and what they’ve become.
“I’m very grateful to each of you for your support and input. This is your city. I’m proud to live and work here. Tooele City is no longer an afterthought of the Wasatch Front cities. We are a proud, strong voice and an example for other cities to follow. The work is challenging, but the challenges are being met. Decisions that we make are decisions that better our city, strengthen us financially, and move us forward. Thank you so much for the honor of being your mayor.”
