LIMA — Community members far and wide on Wednesday evening gathered to hear about the state of the city of Lima from Mayor Sharetta Smith after her first year-plus as mayor. Smith shared where the city has been and the hopes for the coming future. Smith was elected into office in November of 2021. She was officially sworn in later that month. According to a previous Lima News article, Smith said on the day of her inauguration she was honored to serve and she promises to keep listening. She also said ‘change is here’.
On Wednesday, Smith shared the same message. In 2022, Smith met with community members to hear their hopes for how to allocate funds awarded through the American Rescue Plan Act. Smith shared how the city has not only disbursed those dollars but how the city plans to continue to move forward. With funding from the act, the city has reportedly focused on city services, safe neighborhoods, economic growth, recreation and quality housing. Smith provided examples of how the funds have helped the city.
”In 2022, we paved over 17,000 roads, repaired over 99,000 sidewalks and provided engineering services for $5.7 million in capital projects,” said Smith. “We expanded city-wide services to the village of Perry and Lafayette. We completed over 13,000 property maintenance inspections. We recruited and hired 53 new employees including 17 in safety services. We made almost 10,000 police and fire calls. In terms of city finances, we balanced the budget. We brought in $15.5 million in grant funding and entered the year with $14 million in reserves. This represents the largest case balance in the city’s history.”
According to Smith, homicides are down 43% in the city and arson is down 20%. Smith thanked the Lima Police and Lima Fire Department for their work. In contrast, the mayor also said burglaries, robberies and assaults are up in the city. She said the city plans to ‘respond’ by making policing adjustments. Officers will be assigned to neighborhoods to aid in creating relationships among community members.
Smith also said the city plans to address home ownership and quality of life. The mayor said she spoke with community members about what they hope to see in the community.
“We are looking to see what are the things that attract residents to go other places that we can also bring to Lima,” said Smith, “understanding that we won’t be those communities but what more can we offer.”
Although the state of the city revealed much progress, Smith also said there are areas that need improvement. Smith said she plans to address early childhood education, drug use throughout the city and the needs of the older population.
Smith ended the night by stating ‘we are just getting started’.
Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.
