As City Manager it is a privilege to work with the City Commission, community partners and residents in laying the foundation for the future of St. Augustine. Our proposed budget is designed to grow the city and make St. Augustine a better place to live. The budget plan is highly responsive to the community’s needs and requests, determined through regular discussions with residents, local businesses and the tourism industry. Our commission and staff have organized this information into ten specific action goals for the upcoming year. While we are still recovering from the recession, we are reducing costs, creating new revenue streams and proactively seeking grants to allow us to move forward despite economic challenges.
Since 2010, we have planned, financed and implemented an aggressive rebuilding of the city’s infrastructure to positively impact our quality of life. These efforts have not gone unnoticed. For example, our utility credit rating was raised to an A+, and the City of St. Augustine’s Fire Department ranks in the top 1.3 percent of all departments in the United States.
The City commission strategic action goals include the following:
Infrastructure and Streetscape Aesthetics
Since 2011 the city has financed nearly $22 million and received $11.5 million in grants strictly for infrastructure. The eradication of red water continues to be a top priority. To date we have replaced the water lines on 30 streets, and six miles of roadways have been repaved. These infrastructure improvements come without raising millage.
Promote a Proactive/Visionary Planning Department
Protecting our neighborhoods is critical. We continue to update our entry corridor guidelines and strengthen our ordinances.
Livable City Initiatives
Tourism is essential in our community, and we seek a balance between tourism and residential life. New policy regarding special events will reflect residents’ concerns.
Parking and Traffic Management
Improved mobility and relief of traffic congestion is critical. We are restructuring our staff in order to bring innovative solutions. A revised long-term plan will be completed by the end of 2014.
Economic Development
Facilitating economic growth inclusive of West Augustine and St. Johns County is essential to our community. Each of our decisions is made in the context of long-term strategic planning.
St. Augustine 450th Commemoration
Next year is our 450th anniversary. It is a celebration of who we are as a community with the oldest unbroken history in the United States. Free and publically accessible events have been created to insure greater participation by residents and visitors.
Historic Preservation
Historic preservation in both the public and private sector is also critical. We will complete the restoration of the Lightner Building and seek National Historic Landmark designation. We are also seeking grants to restore the Water Works Building. The City will continue to encourage investment in historic properties to protect the character of St. Augustine.
Improve the Balance of Financial Burden between Residential/Tourism/Commercial Sectors and Develop Policy to Limit Intrusion into Neighborhoods
We will implement policies that create new revenue from visitors while limiting the intrusiveness of tourism in residential neighborhoods.
Sustainability
Sustainability efforts will be increased, including a bicycle and pedestrian movement, an amplified recycling program and the introduction of green technologies.
Improved Customer Service & Public Information Dissemination
Communication is key to the city. An updated, user friendly website and increased social media presence will keep residents informed.
The City of St. Augustine is a team of 330 dedicated and hardworking people. We are honored to serve our community in 2015 and beyond, and we pledge to give our all in order to make you proud to call St. Augustine home.
John P. Regan, P.E.
City Manager
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