Last week, the Troy Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual State of the City presentation at Hobart Arena, a new venue for the event, considering that the event was held last year at the Troy Country Club. The presentation was given, to those in attendance, by the City’s Mayor and the City’s Director of Public Service and Safety. While this publication was not in attendance, it was provided a copy of the slideshow that was presented during the lunch meeting.
The "State of the City" presentation provided a comprehensive overview, highlighting the city’s organizational achievements and outlining future priorities, truly making it essential information for our city’s residents. Working from the materials in the slideshow, this analysis will unpack the key points of the presentation.
Financial Health
The city's financial condition appears strong, with a significant increase in revenues by 13.7% and a decrease in expenses by 5.2%. The debt service has also seen a reduction of 1.2%, ensuring that the city remains on stable financial footing. This positive financial outlook is supported by a state-mandated balanced budget and a promising five-year forecast.
Economic Development
The community has made strides in economic development, characterized by a variety of business incentives and a focus on diversifying international trade relationships, including efforts to attract Asian and European businesses. The city's approach to fostering residential housing starts and industrial investments indicates a willingness to undertake a proactive strategy to bolster economic growth and sustainability.
While the new residential housing starts are welcome, it should be anticipated that the work being completed by the city’s new comprehensive planning process, along with the updates to the city’s zoning code, may provide for new housing opportunities that will open up the housing market to more individuals wanting to make Troy their hometown.
Infrastructure and Public Works
The city's infrastructure development continues with significant allocations towards public works, including road repaving and utility improvements. Noteworthy projects include the expansion of the wastewater treatment plant and the long-awaited stormwater improvements with the Kidder Ditch on the city’s northeast side.
There are other notable improvements to public streets that are also being planned, including improvements to the Adams Street overpass and the State Route 41/East Main Street bridge. In the presentation’s slide deck, there was also mention of the development of the Adams Street/Riverside Drive/Staunton Road Roundabout.
Public Safety
Public safety remains a priority. Of note, there were reductions in incidents handled by both Fire and EMS and Police services. Fire and EMS Services saw a 9% decrease in service calls, while the Police Department saw a decrease in calls of 5%. The Fire Department responded to 5,604 incidents last year, while the Police Department had nearly 23,000 calls for service.
The presentation also talked about the introduction of advanced technology like drone fleets and mental health checks for police showcases a commitment to modernizing emergency services and enhancing community safety.
Quality of Life
Troy continues to invest heavily in quality of life improvements, as evidenced by developments in park facilities, recreational offerings, and cultural events. The emphasis on greenspace and community amenities aligns with the city's vision to provide a vibrant, engaging living environment for its residents.
In the presentation, it was pointed out that recreational improvements were planned or underway for Archer Park, the Seniors Citizen’s Center, the Upper Levee Sidewalk and the playground at Duke Park. The presentation also hinted that the new plan for the Joe Reardon Skatepark, as discussed in this publication earlier, is a long-term priority for the city’s park board.
Other Amenities
The presentation also reported that the Miami Shores Golf Course saw a 9% increase in revenue, created in part by a 4% increase in the number of rounds of golf played at the course. The Hobart Arena saw a 24% increase in events and the Troy Aquatic Park welcomed 35,000 visitors last summer, despite poor weather in last June.
In conclusion, the State of the City presentation for Troy, Ohio, reveals a city that appears financially robust, forward-thinking in its economic strategies, with a strong commitment to public safety. This detailed overview should provide both residents and external observers with a glimpse into the condition of our city.
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