A Message from Mayor Stimpson - September 22
Sep 22nd, 2020
Good evening,
It is 8:30 p.m. on September 22, and I am writing to give you an update from the City of Mobile.
Some of you have asked why we haven't included COVID-19 numbers in the last few newsletters. First, during Hurricane Sally, internet and power issues were making it difficult to obtain accurate numbers. Second, we have been seeing a steady decline in the number of COVID-19 cases in Mobile County. You can see this stead decline in the charts below. We will continue monitoring daily numbers and encouraging everyone to keep taking precautions by wearing a mask, social distancing, and practicing good hygiene. These measures are working to slow the spread!
ALNBS Figure 2. Week Ending September 19, 2020-Number of Patients with COVID-19 Disease by Report - Week Mobile County, Alabama.
ALNBS Figure 3. Week Ending September 19, 2020-Number of Patients with COVID-19 Disease by Event Week and Age Group - Mobile County, Alabama.
Today, the City Council passed the 2021 annual budget. COVID-19 has caused many cities to do more with less. While other cities around the state and the country are cutting operational budgets due to declining revenues, Mobile has set itself apart and will not be cutting its budget nor any essential services. This is the result of being disciplined and working for seven years with department heads to be better stewards of your tax dollars.
In addition, in 2021, thanks to several years of hard work, there will be an unprecedented investment into the City for capital projects and infrastructure improvements. By year's end, the total will approach more than $100 million, an unprecedented annual gain which has not previously been seen in even a two year period. All of this will occur while reducing our debt and maintaining our rainy-day reserves.
John Maxwell says, "Champions don't become champions in the ring - they are merely recognized there." It takes discipline, daily training and strict focus to become a champion. This is not unlike what my administrative team has done to put our City on strong financial footing. It has taken the daily focus of every team member to track spending and find ways to make your tax dollars work harder for you. Our team has been champions of good financial stewardship and we are excited to see the citizens reap the rewards.
Sleep tight!