Sample Cities Releases - by Targeted News Service

MAYOR APPOINTS MICHAEL GIVENS CITY TREASURER

Copyright © HT Media Ltd. 2005

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 27 -- The mayor of the city of Jacksonville issued the following news release:

Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton today announced the appointment of Michael R. Givens, CPA, as Treasurer for the City of Jacksonville. In this role, Givens will be responsible for overseeing the city's debt management program and the custody, investment and disbursement of city funds. He will also supervise the administration of the General Employees Pension Plan.

"We are very excited to have someone with Michael Givens' extensive knowledge joining our team," said Mayor Peyton. "His extensive experience in both the public and private sectors will be an enormous asset."

Currently, Givens is a private practice CPA, focused on providing consulting services to local governments in the areas of internal and external financial reporting processes and compliance. Givens previously served as Finance Director for St. Johns County for 10 years, during which time he managed and reported on the county's $150 million operations budget. He also served in the Jacksonville office of the Florida Auditor General.

Givens will assume his new role Feb. 1, 2006, with an annual salary of $112,000. He replaces Mary Arditti, who retired from the position in August of this year.

Givens holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University and is a member of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a member of the Florida Government Finance Officers Association. His appointment is subject to approval by the Jacksonville City Council.

MAYOR TO APPROVE CITY OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS

Copyright © HT Media Ltd. 2005

MADISON, Wis., Nov. 21 -- The city of Madison issued the following news release:

Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said today that he intends to approve the 2006 capital and operating budgets approved by the Common Council. Cieslewicz said that although the council made some modifications to both budgets, the vast majority of his budget priorities were left intact.

"Earlier this fall, I introduced a balanced and responsible budget that meets key city needs while keeping property taxes in check," said Cieslewicz. "That approach set the tone for the budget debate we have had in the past months. Although the council chose to make some changes to my proposal and to spend more money than I would have liked, the overall result is a budget that reflects the goals I set."

The 2006 operating budget includes a levy increase of 4.35%. Although this is higher than the 3.95% increase proposed by the mayor, it remains well below the 15-year average of 5.75%. The budget retains key initiatives proposed by Cieslewicz, including:

Public safety: The adopted budget reflects the mayor's ongoing commitment to investing in public safety. The budget puts 10 new police officers on the street while providing ongoing funding for Madison's first new fire station in 25 years and first new ambulance in 15 years. It also makes a commitment to build another new fire station in 2008 and a new police station for Madison's east side in 2006.

Basic services: The adopted budget includes the mayor's innovations to provide basic services such as garbage collection and snow removal at lower cost, by capturing savings from the new automated recycling system and a new automated street repair system. Although Madison continues to grow as a city and provide more services to more residents, the Streets Department budget in 2006 is actually lower in real dollars than the 2005 budget.

Metro bus service: Between funding added in the 2005 budget and the 2006 executive budget, the mayor added $1.1 million to Metro's budget, a 14% increase. Reflecting higher fuel costs, the adopted budget added another $585,000 for Metro, which will reduce the possibility of service cuts and provide additional service to Madison's southside.

Responsible budgeting: To avoid balancing the budget with quick fixes, the mayor did not raid the city's fund balance (the "rainy day fund"), and the adopted budget maintained that responsible approach.

Neighborhoods: The adopted budget includes the mayor's initiatives to continue investing in Madison's neighborhoods. This includes the program to build five new parks a year in Madison's new peripheral neighborhoods on the far east and far west sides, and the construction of two new neighborhood libraries: Sequoya on the near west side in 2006 and a new south branch library at the Villager Mall in 2007. It also provides funding for a new Central Library in 2009.

Environment: The mayor's initiatives for protecting and enhancing Madison's environment are included in the adopted budget. Water-quality initiatives include new street sweeping equipment, the 1000 rain gardens program and a preliminary commitment to purchase the innovative "solar bees" in Monona Bay. To encourage alternative commuting, the budget continues investing in new buses, including the next generation of fuel-efficient, hybrid buses. The budget also continues investments in more energy efficient buildings and lighting retrofits, which will reduce City energy costs.

"Budgets are not just about numbers, they reflect our values and priorities as a city," said Cieslewicz. "The budget adopted by the council reflects the balanced and responsible proposal that I made earlier this fall. It funds basic city services while increasing the property tax levy substantially less than last year, and less than the 15-year average."

CITY OF ATLANTA CELEBRATES OFFICIAL STARTUP OF NANCY CREEK TUNNEL AND PUMP STATION

Copyright © HT Media Ltd. 2005

ATLANTA, Dec. 30 -- The city of Atlanta issued the following press release:

WHO: Mayor Shirley Franklin, Commissioner of Watershed Management, Robert Hunter and City Officials

WHAT: The celebration of the official startup of the Nancy Creek Tunnel and pump station. The tunnel, which has been under construction for three years, will convey sanitary sewage to the treatment plant and eliminate sanitary sewer overflows in the Nancy Creek basin. The tunnel is one of the first major consent decree projects to be completed. It was completed on budget and on schedule. During the ceremony, Mayor Franklin will push a ceremonial button to launch fireworks, marking the introduction of flow into the tunnel.

WHEN: Saturday, December 31, 2005

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: RM Clayton Water Reclamation Center

2440 Bolton Road