The Winslow City Council and staff completed their strategic planning session March 16. The council adopted a resolution early in the meeting in support of a county-wide jail district.
The resolution noted that the actions of the state legislature are having the effect of passing expenses to the counties and cities, and that the counties are also passing their expenses to the cities. This could be especially harmful to Winslow in the added costs of prosecuting and jailing of prisoners for crimes within the city. The creation of a county-wide jail district would spread those costs more evenly and fairly.
That was the only business item, with the balance of the time being spent discussing plans for the city for the future, especially within the next five years.
Engineer Mark Woodson directed much of the discussion of city projects, and noted that most of the projects are being paid for from turnback funds from the Arizona Department of Transportation or grants from various agencies. There are some projects funded from the one percent local sales tax revenue.
In regard to future projects, Woodson said that the city should determine its goals and decide how to achieve them. He said, though, that we also have to take care of what we have while we are striving to attract new industry.
The city, according to Woodson City Administrator Jim Ferguson and others, must plan how to do more with less.
The main purpose of the meeting was seen to be preparing staff for the coming budget process.
One of the main stumbling blocks to development in Winslow is seen as much of the city being declared to be in a flood plain. Staff is working to alleviate that problem, but that is not easy. It will continue to be a priority.
Another need is better communication. The city needs to do a better job of keeping the community informed of its needs, its projects and its accomplishments. Not only the citizens of Winslow and vicinity, but potential investors, businesses and possible new residents need to be informed about the city’s progress and plans.
