Longview Mayor Kristen Ishihara gave the city's State of the City address on Wednesday. She said road maintenance was a major priority and that the city increased that budget by eight percent. Mobberly Avenue and Reel Road are among the major road projects. Ishihara said the city plans ahead so infrastructure does not go unattended for too long.
Ishihara said recruiting and keeping employees has been the city's biggest challenge. She said a market pay study led to a 15% raise for many employees. She said the city brought in 30% more money through EMS billing, cut spending in other areas and reduced staff by seven positions that had been vacated and not refilled.
Ishihara voted with the majority to keep the recycling program, which 12 people who attended and spoke supported. A new rule lets the city take a resident's blue bucket and issue a fine if trash is found inside. The city plans to offer a community satisfaction survey in December. David Collett, general manager of Gas and Supply, said his business depends on growth and that road construction near his business has been inconvenient but worthwhile.