A Message From Mayor Stimpson - August 7
Aug 7th, 2020
Good evening,
It is 7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 7 and I am writing to give you an update from the City of Mobile.
As of tonight, Mobile County Health Department reported a total of 9,692 COVID positive individuals, an increase of 163 individuals from yesterday. For a detailed look at today's data click here. We should have enough data available to determine the impact of mask-wearing by this time next week.
Each year, we release the City's Popular Annual Financial Report, more commonly known as the PAFR. The PAFR summarizes and communicates the city's financial condition in a very simplified reader-friendly manner. It tells our story with pictures, charts and graphs. We were scheduled to release it earlier this year, but postponed doing so because our focus was on COVID-19. The trends which have developed over the last 6 years are encouraging. This PAFR supports the last fiscal year ending September 30, 2019. Click here to see the full report.
One item of interest is the projection that by 2030 the City could be debt free regarding bond indebtedness. Having inherited approximately $300 million in debt, we have paid down more than $100 million; have refinanced it all at lower interest rates; and borrowed no additional money. If the paydown continues as scheduled at approximately $25 million/year, beginning in 2031, the City could take this money and allocate it to infrastructure repairs, enhancing our parks or applying it to public safety. Adding an additional $25 million/year to our CIP program would be game changer for Mobile!
On another note, it is imperative that we encourage everyone to complete the 2020 Census. Our 2010 final response rate was 63.10%. We currently have a 59.20% response rate and the deadline for submitting has been moved from October 31 to September 30. The Census count defines our eligibility for federal dollars and Alabama's number of congressional seats. Help us make sure that all Mobilians are counted! Click here to complete the census.
As I close, I am thankful for all the challenges and opportunities but realize we can't just spend our time solving problems. We must be preparing for the future. Early this morning I shared one of author John Maxwell's messages on leadership with my children. "The most strategic leadership move that Moses made was training Joshua. Moses passed along his authority, abilities, and anointing to Joshua by giving him his time, his insight and an opportunity to prove himself. Reproducing leaders is not a quick, simple process. It requires time, emotional investment, and sacrifice. Your protégés will need from themselves: conviction, courage and obedience; from their mentor: equipping; from God: vision; and from the people: buy-in." At City Hall, we are intentional about mentoring the future leaders of Mobile. We're hoping you are too!
Have a blessed and safe weekend!