Our View: We have a few suggestions for 2016

New Year’s Day is always a great time to resolve to make great changes or embark on new challenges. That new calendar represents a clean slate and a lot of potential. There’s a reason why they’re known as new years resolutions.

We have a few suggestions to help get the city off to a great start in 2016.

Plan for another sixth penny tax

The sixth penny tax is a great tool for the county and cities to get major improvement projects completed. We think the city should start planning a sixth penny funding request for the wastewater treatment plant Green River needs to build. It’s the only way the city is going to raise the money needed to build the plant. Sure, grants can offset the amount needed, but we don’t think it’s possible for the city to raise the millions needed for the project through state and federal funding.

Green River needs a new wastewater treatment plant. Those sewer lagoons have outlived their intended lifespans and need to be replaced. It represents a great investment into the city’s infrastructure to build a new treatment plant. Public works projects like this is what the sixth penny tax is meant for.

Economic development

Admittedly, with revenues for the city they way they are, spending city funds for economic development might be a difficult proposition. However, we think its time for the city to renew its interest in Green River Futures.

The city needs an economic development agency to focus on Green River and work hand in hand with the Green River Main Street. While new businesses do open up in downtown Green River, such as Staci Ann’s Cafe on Railroad Avenue, the city needs an organization to both bring new businesses into downtown Green River and provide assistance to existing businesses looking to expand into a downtown commercial space. We think Green River Futures is the organization to fit that role.

Continue to decrease spending without cutting services

While the city won’t be facing the drastic budgetary decreases the county and state legislature will face in 2016, we recognize that the city’s revenues aren’t the best right now either. It’s a tough balancing act, but striving to cut spending without impacting the city’s main services is a great way to ensure the city has reserve funding for unforeseen issues that may arise.