Message From the Mayor

 

 

 

 

 

When I sit down to write these messages, I always strive to highlight the positives in our community.  Be it our accomplishments, a focus on one of our amazing citizens or a summary of upcoming initiatives, I never have a shortage of topics to choose from.  This Spring has undoubtedly proved challenging, but there is still an abundance of good to share. I want this message to highlight ALL that our City employees do for us in hopes that it will provide an understanding as to why it is crucial to protect our financial well-being. Our City workforce and our ability to continue improving your parks, arts and cultural opportunities, recreational offerings for your children, and so much more are dependent on a strong financial foundation. 

Each February, City staff and officials begin the budget planning process.  The analysis involved includes both a financial review and an intense reflection of our previous year’s accomplishments plus an outlining of future goals. As of 220 days into our fiscal year, I am humbled at the dedication of our staff and how much they have already accomplished.

• Our utilities crews ensure access to safe drinking water as well as a sanitary sewer system. To that end, they have completed 3,639 work orders and 117 stormwater work orders and have conducted 200 stormwater inspections. The billing department has opened 2,577 new accounts and processed  over 52,000 payments, 
• Public Works keeps our City clean of trash and debris. They have removed more than 13 million pounds of material from the City. Additionally, the City’s recycling drop-off center has taken in 326,800 pounds of recyclables. 
• Urban and Park Land Management maintains the grounds in all parks and public spaces.  They’ve maintained 100 acres of decorative bed areas and 7.5 miles of highway right of way. They have picked up 6,500 pounds of litter and planted 66 trees.
• The Parks and Recreation Department is the center of the City’s athletic programs as well as many camps and community events. They have served over 16,000 program participants and hosted three state tournaments. The Kilgore Park Play structure has been replaced, and Dawson Park has a new restroom, picnic shelter, and upgraded basketball goals. The Rec Center (shared with Central) has re-plastered both pools. 
• In the Arts and Culture sphere of the City, we are fortunate to have The Arts Center and The Clemson Area African American Museum. Among other things, The Arts Center started Pop in the Park events and CAAAM hosted the Black History Month luncheon and installed the “Where I’m From” art exhibit by artist and CAAAM program assistant Felicia Greenlee. 
• Clemson Area Transit has been providing fare free transportation in the Clemson area for nearly three decades. They’ve logged over 348,000 miles and carried more than 728,000 passengers so far this year. 
• In regards to public safety, our police officers spend countless hours protecting our community.  They have driven over 300,000 miles patrolling the City, have made 42,000 citizen contacts and 6,000 vehicle stops, and responded to 600 car accidents. Our Municipal Court staff are equally busy and have closed 1,905 non-jury cases and resolved 355 jury trials. The Fire Marshal has conducted 522 fire inspections, and our building inspectors have conducted 4,784 building inspections to ensure safe dwellings and public spaces. 
• Planning and Development staff have issued 367 single family residential permits and 102 commercial construction permits. 
• Our small but mighty finance department processes payroll, pays our vendors, and facilitates department budget meetings as we prepare for the next fiscal year. This department is also credited for our clean audit!
• The  Business License Administrator and License Inspector have processed over 1,500 licenses and are putting the final touches on “renewal season.”
• Clemson Music Fest, On the Ave downtown events, local business promotion, Leadership Clemson, the Community Connection (this publication) and record- eeping are just some of the things the  City Administration Department is responsible for! 
• The City’s Information Technology Department keeps our City operational by developing and maintaining the programs necessary for our employees to successfully perform their jobs. They also play a huge role in safety and recently installed 38 Verdaka cameras and also meet the technology requirements of our officers. 
• Our HR department works hard to ensure that our City employees are happy, healthy, and able to provide the services our City requires. They are committed to providing competitive wages and  benefits as well as a safe, comfortable work environment to encourage workforce contentment and  longevity.

In last summer’s message, I wrote about what makes Clemson special and unique.  It’s the people. We are blessed with some incredible residents and an amazing City team that is dedicated to serving our community and truly take pride in their work.  This list of their accomplishments and duties is impressive, but just a part of what they do on our behalf every day.  Next time you get the opportunity to interact with someone who works to make your City better, please take a minute to thank them….I can’t do it enough!

As always, I want to hear from you! I use social media as a way to distribute information but never as a catalyst for conversation. Call me. If you see me out in the community, stop me. I am happy to sit down over a cup of coffee. Let’s talk!

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Mayor Halfacre's Previous Messages

February 2024

September 2023

June 2023

February 2023

September 2022

June 2022

February 2022

August 2021

June 2021

February 2021