As Taylorsville works to keep up with basic needs in a struggling economy, investing in the business community will be a priority in 2012, Mayor Russ Wall said.
The mayor, who wants to entice more businesses to move to Taylorsville, compared the effort to parents investing in their children’s education to ensure that they can earn more money in a chosen career.
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"Taylorsville turns 16 this year and our city, like we were at that age, is at a crossroads in its young life," Wall said in his annual State of the City address Wednesday. "The effects of decisions made now, good or bad, will impact this young city for many years."
Wall suggested that Taylorsville start saving for a multipurpose center and set up community councils in each council district that would look at ways to improve the city. And he proposed that the West Valley-Taylorsville Animal Shelter become a no-kill facility — one that euthanizes animals for health or safety issues only — by 2015.
"As children, we are taught the responsibility of owning pets and to respect life in any form," he said. "As a city, we have those same obligations."
Wall said 2011 produced plenty of successes. An economic development team created last year is working with 48 new potential businesses, he said, and sales tax revenue increased 3.5 percent over the prior year.
In addition, he cited road improvements, including work done along Redwood Road and Bangerter Highway, and a Bus Rapid Transit line on 4700 South that is in the beginning stages of development.
"One huge road problem that we have is 1300 West at 5400 South," the mayor said. "This has been a difficult project because it is not only a road project but also a very complicated utility project and potential disaster. We are happy to report that reconstruction will begin in the spring."
Wall also singled out, among other accomplishments last year:
• The city’s Good Landlord training program, which is designed to keep properties maintained and crime-free.
• Law-enforcement work that resulted in property crime dropping 21.8 percent.
• The completion of an emergency operations plan.
• Numerous community service projects, including a cleanup on the Jordan River that involved more than 1,000 participants from one LDS stake and the painting of benches and buildings at Valley Regional Park by city employees.
• Efforts to communicate better. Taylorsville now has a Facebook page, YouTube channel, Twitter account and city-sponsored blog.
"There is no time to list all of the good things happening in the city," Wall said. "Suffice it to say that the state of the city is excellent."
Twitter: @PamelaMansonSLC
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