Completion of big projects theme of State of the City

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HURON — The Huron Kiwanis Club and Huron Chamber political action committee co-hosted this year’s State of the City luncheon Thursday at the Huron Event Center.

Mayor Gary Harrington delivered opening remarks, thanking the city staff for continued work through a difficult year as the city progresses through a pandemic. He introduced the commissioners, and allowed each commissioner to address his respective focus area.

Bryan Smith, the finance and revenue commissioner, reported on the city’s financial position. He reported that tax revenues in the city have increased, a sign that Huron residents are spending their money within the city. He also highlighted the recent State AA golf tournament as a sign of the respect given to our golf courses across the state, which can potentially bring in more revenue for the city.

He was followed by Drew Weinreis. Weinreis highlighted a host of projects through the library, street department, and engineering department. He specifically mentioned completion of the Third Street Dam project, which had been delayed due to high water. The project makes the dam significantly more safe and landscaping that has already been done and is still to be done near the dam will allow for a beautiful area to spend time and fish in the community.

Utilities commissioner Rich Bragg joked that highlights from the solid waste and wastewater department typically don’t draw listeners in, but both departments do have notable projects ongoing, including the new wastewater treatment facility improvements and impending improvements to the solid waste facility to meet current technology and equipment needs.

Bragg also highlighted the change to Chad Schroder as the director of the Parks and Recreation Department, specifically the energy and vision that Schroder brings to the position as the department looks forward to improving recreational facilities throughout Huron.

Mark Robish was the last commissioner to speak, and he joked that as public safety commissioner working with the police department and fire department that he hoped those in attendance knew people he worked with on a personal level, not a professional level. Robish did express the need for help with the volunteer fire department as numbers have notably waned over the last year on the department.

Harrington closed the meeting by encouraging the Leadership Huron class in attendance in their work over the year.