Supporting Scott Burton
EDITOR:
In 2008 when I ran for Clinton City Council and was elected, one of my goals was to help “shore up” the city’s financial position.
With the help of City Staff, fellow Council Members, and Mayor Burton I feel as though this has been accomplished. My personal goal has always been to be less in debt today than I was yesterday and less in debt tomorrow than I am today.
Debt is not a bad thing but the Bible speaks of being a slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:7).
My observation in 2008 is that the City of Clinton was enslaved to the lender. Below is a short list of accomplishments the City has achieved to this end.
• Over the last seven years reduced debt by over $4.6 million.
• At year end 2010 General Fund had negative fund balance – restructured outstanding debt and issued new debt to fund needed capital improvements – at year- end 2017 General Fund balance was more than $7.4 million.
• In March 2018, Moody’s Investors Service assigned a rating of A1 to the City – the City’s highest rating in over 15 years.
• In the last six years, the City has spent almost $3 million in street paving.
•In the last seven years, the City has spent over $8.4 million in capital improvements including equipment for Public Works, Police, and Fire. Renovations to Jaycee Park, City Hall, and Clinton Community Center.
With the help of Individuals raising funds and the Clinton Rotary Club the City built a splash pad in 2016 and did some improvements in 2017 and 2018. Of the funds needed the City contributed over $120,000.00.
•ISO rating for fire improved from a rating of 4 to 2 which resulted in safety for citizens and lower insurance premiums.
I would like to thank you for the opportunity to serve and hope that the above shows the hard work of Your City Council and Mayor Burton.
Clinton’s future is bright and with the current health of our City’s finances we have lots to be excited about.
Jim McBride
Clinton City Council
