(article taken from May 97 issue)
Three areas critical to the future of Wilmore are parks, schools, and finances. The key challenge is to balance the needs of the various areas and also to balance the short term and long term. This is a very delicate balancing act that requires skill as well as judgment.
The City of Wilmore just completed the sale of the city farm to Ichthus Ministries. As a part of this agreement, nearly 32 acres of the farm and $200,000 to develop park land was donated to the City of Wilmore by Ichthus Ministries. Ichthus gained a permanent home site. A lot of change is in store for Ichthus and Wilmore residents as we begin the move to that new location in 1999.
The City has made an offer to the Jessamine County School Board and Superintendent to locate a new elementary school on the Wilmore Camp Ground property. The 16.5 acre site would be where Ichthus now holds its annual festival. If this offer is accepted, the City would take over operation of some space at the present elementary school, including the gym and would offer various recreation and community programs from this location. The sale of this property by the Camp Ground Board would allow them to invest in building improvements on their remaining property of over 7 acres. The City would pay for this investment from new payroll tax created by this school addition and additional salaries brought to Wilmore.
The third area is the restructuring of the city finances. At present, we have a restricted payroll tax. If we use the accumulated payroll taxes and pay off the 1973 and 1980 bond issues of nearly $1.5 million, we would be able to distribute a portion of this payroll tax to other much needed areas within the city. Such areas as sidewalks, streets, and storm sewers are in much need of upgrading and improving.
These shifts will require dramatic changes in the way we have conducted business in the past. Continued investment in planning, facilitative leadership, an environment open to change and employee empowerment will be the ingredients needed to break down the typical governmental bureaucracy. We cannot control the risk of these choices, but we do control the choice of action or lack of action. I believe these are three areas worthy of the risk.
--Harold L. Rainwater