2012 was a good year for the taxpayers in Monroe.  While it was projected to be another difficult year it opened with a huge win/win for Monroe taxpayers and City services. With projected revenues remaining “flat”, additional cuts were necessary. Jointly and cooperatively, my administration, Council and the employees' bargaining units were able to settle on two major matters that lead to significant cost savings that prevented job losses and allowed the City to maintain essential services for 2012. Significant improvements in processes have also helped to create a culture in City Hall that is innovative and inviting to enterprises and development. The word is spreading that Monroe is open for business. 

On the Grow: Monroe is pleased to welcome many new businesses to our Industrial Park; most recently, NFG Manufacturing – a large, multinational company that is preparing to bring as many as 350 jobs to our City. Also, among others, we welcomed Rhino Mfg. Inc., Pilchuck Distributors Inc. and Ironmaster LLC. Adjoining our Industrial area, City Council approved a Public/Private partnership I proposed at Lake Tye, with H3o LLC, to launch a “Cable Wakeboard Park”. This will bring added value to residents and visitors through additional recreational activities in addition to economic benefits to nearby businesses and the City.

North Kelsey: After years of inactivity, we are selling property at North Kelsey bringing new business, new tax revenue and help to eliminate the remaining $11.5 million in debt. In early November, Providence purchased 5 acres from the City for $2.5 M to construct a 42,000 sq ft medical office complex. Thirty days later, the City sold its interest in the land under Galaxy Theater for $2.0 M to a local commercial real estate developer. The City hopes to close the Walmart sale mid 2013, overcoming a frivolous legal action by F.O.N.K. which has cost Monroe taxpayers between $425,000 and $633,000 in debt refinancing costs and substantial lost sales tax revenue. The sale of this land for $7.5M will go entirely to paying off the bond debt incurred under the previous mayor and council. Sales tax revenue is projected to be near $500K a year.

2013 Budget: The $4.5M received from the land sales in 2012 described above has allowed the City to fully fund all of its reserve accounts for the first time in recent memory.  While the Nation continues to experience the effects of the “Great Recession”, Monroe; while not out of the woods quite yet, is reaping the benefits from clear priorities, and solution based processes. As other cities look to make additional deep cuts in 2013, Monroe is ending 2012 with revenues up, expenditures down, “in the black” with cash reserves. All done without raising property taxes on Monroe landowners.

Looking Forward: Working with City Staff , I am looking to 2013 as a year to continue improving the business climate in our City and reducing the regulatory burden imbedded in our outdated code and to present Policy, for Council approval, that will continue to improve the economic vitality, improve local traffic and build upon our awesome Parks through providing new, improved and recurring events.

All in all, I am very enthusiastic about our City’s future. You can be too.

Looking forward,

Mayor Robert G. Zimmerman