Mayor's Office

Mayor Neeley presents first State of the City: Working together we will continue to move forward

FLINT, Michigan — In his first State of the City, Mayor Sheldon Neeley highlighted the importance of unity and teamwork in his administration’s achievements so far and in continued efforts to move the city forward. The 30-minute address was broadcast on television and presented to Flint City Council on Tuesday. 

Mayor Neeley highlighted the City’s proactive response to a wide range of issues including limiting the spread of COVID-19, picking up more than 2 million pounds of garbage as part of the fight on blight, and instituting important protections as part of the City’s commitment to equity during his first year in office. 

“I am proud of the work we have done here and the work we have accomplished together. Prayer planning and partnership — together, even 6 feet apart, anything can be accomplished. If we unite our efforts, if we unite our strength, if we unite our thinking, we can win,” Mayor Neeley said. “The state of our City is strong and we will get stronger the better we work together.”

He also highlighted a commitment in 2021 to infrastructure needs. The top priority will continue to be on repairing the city’s water infrastructure and moving forward on projects that will safeguard the city’s drinking water now and in the future. 

Another infrastructure priority will be the city’s roads and developing a plan that will allow for major investment in repairing local roads and installing new speed control measures. 

“I will do everything in my power to make this community a better, stronger, more vibrant place to live and to build for the next generation,” Mayor Neeley said. 

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Mayor Neeley highlighted the success of his operational audit, which found the need to come into compliance with several multi-million-dollar grants, identified the need for a coordinated 2020 Census effort, discovered the financial audit was woefully behind schedule, and found that the City had budgeted for additional police officers that had not been hired.

“We have to stand together as one united community. Let’s not be torn on the idea of a better, stronger Flint,” Mayor Neeley said. 

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