Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

By Candace J. (Kay) Andersen

Mayor Andersen has demonstarted her fiscal responsibility in managing the Town's Resources. She has helped Danville's businesses with increased economic development.

In the five years that Mayor Andersen has been on the council it has not been necessary to ever tap into the Town's reserves. Rather, there has been a surplus at the end of each fiscal year.

Sufficient resources are saved so that we can weather difficult economic times. Also, we make sure that we have sufficient funds available so that when the Town wants to bring forward a project benefitting the community, such as the Oak Hill Park Community Building or rennovating the Veteran's Hall downtown, there is enough money saved up to do these things. We don't have to borrow money or cut back our services.

Danville is run very efficiently. This year we will have 121 employees to serve our population of close to 43,000. Back in 1991 we had 122 employees to serve our then population of 33,000 residents.

Unlike the County and many other cities, we have no unfunded pensions or unfunded health care benefit obligations for employees and retirees. Instead, our employees are part of a defined contribution plan.

Since Mayor Andersen joined the council 5 years ago, efforts to help local businesses and expand economic development have increased significantly.

Parking in the downtown was increased with over 185 spaces being added. People are able to find free parking near our downtown stores. This year we are doing a parking assessment to make sure that we have the right parking time limits to allow and ecourage people to shop, dine and play in our business areas.

The Town has worked with other downtown shopping center owners to improve the parking and circulation in their lots. In the current fiscal year on the North end of Hartz the Town will be making improvements to beautify some of the older areas with brick, sidewalks and landscaping.

Zoning changes were made to encourage more retail in the Downtown. There is a greater vibrancy and desire for shoppers to go from store to store when the majority of the busineses are retail rather than offices.

Partnerships with Discover Danville, the Danville Chamber of Commerce an the Danville Merchant's Association have added special events to bring more people downtown.

This year a new Shop Local campaign was launched. A searchable web site is currently being designed which will allow every Danville Business to be identified and help our residents find what they want to buy here in Danville.

Mayor Andersen has worked with store owners and brought ideas for improvement back to our planning staff to streamline the permit process when someone wants to bring a business to Town.

By authorizing the hiring of an in house plan checker, the building permit process for not only businesses, but homeowners, as well, has been improved significantly.