The vision of the new mayor
Bringing everyone along at the same time
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Strasser

In less than two weeks, mayor-elect Randy Strasser will assume leadership of the City of Delphi. Strasser is a believer in planning the work and working the plan to achieve goals and objectives. Strasser shared his vision and expectations of his new office and city government.

"I truly believe in transparent government and that has to do with wrap-around planning," Strasser said.

Meeting with council members one-on-one prior to taking office has been important to Strasser. He said he would emphasize the need for and strive to enhance communication between department heads and council members. Strasser said he does not anticipate significant changes in council meetings or the agenda.

"Council meetings should be informative, but predictable," he said. "The agenda was established by the Indiana Code and the city adopted an ordinance enacting it."

Strasser said department head reports at council meetings will take the form of reports of benchmarks to reach budgetary and action goals for the department. Because of the benchmark approach to presentations, council members will be provided informational building blocks, which will form a basis for their decisions.

"As time passes, council members will become more and more informed about all aspects of the inner-workings of the city," he explained.

Strasser plans to take his first few months on the job to learn, assess and evaluate city services and needs before deciding what, if any, significant changes are warranted.

He appointed new council member Brian Garrison and Delphi resident Bob Conner to the board of works, which will meet the first and third Mondays of each month. Per Indiana Code, the mayor is also a member.

"Decisions will be made the way they should with the board of works," Strasser said. "But the council will receive more explanation about those decisions. That's important to me. Everybody has to be coming along at the same rate."

"I want the public to be fully informed and have access to information," he said. "But I don't want them to be overwhelmed with paperwork."

One way Strasser plans to enhance information sharing is to explore greater utilization of the city Web site. He said he would like to see the city council agenda, meeting minutes and the minutes of all boards and committees posted for the public to be able to access readily.

Strasser said he continues to meet with all the city groups necessary to evaluate city participation, such as Main Street, Delphi Chamber of Commerce and the Forestry Commission. He said the grant coordinator position is a vital position to the city with high expectations and high visibility.

"After evaluating and reviewing the needs of the city, the mission and focus of that valuable position will be defined," he said.

Local attorney Kurtis Fouts will represent the city and provide legal assistance when needed. Strassser said Fouts has already helped him understand the Indiana Code and how that can impact local government. For instance, he now understands that all committee and board appointments are to be made from residents of the city.

"This may change the make-up of some boards, he said. "We will adhere strictly to the Indiana Code."

Strasser said he realizes what happens in county government can impact city issues directly and plans to establish a good working relationship with both the county commissioners and county council members.

One issue Strasser recognized as important to address was economic development. Strasser said he would work closely with the firm hired to develop a comprehensive land use plan for the city that will be integrated into the county model. Strasser noted the need for business and economic growth in Delphi. He said there is a need to consider the impact of the Hoosier Heartland Corridor, historic resources and the Canal Association and trails system when planning for city economic development.

He also said the city could choose to appoint an economic development board. He said in the past a separate board served the city but it has not been active in several years.

"There have been some residents who expressed interest in reactivating that," he said.

Strasser said he would be contacting the county EDC for "direction and clarity" for the city.

Strasser described any changes to city government would be "evolutionary" in nature. He said it will be imperative to understand departmental needs. He will host weekly department head meetings to discuss issues which will ensure those in charge are in line with expectations.

The new mayor said his plan is to involve the council in budget planning earlier in the year than done in the past to aid department heads when they are in the budgetary development process. He will suggest council members hold work sessions prior to budget development to allow department heads insight into council funding considerations.

"I plan to open communication between council members and department heads so each group can hear expectations and future plans," he said. "I expect department heads to share challenges with the council to minimize and lessen the impact of necessary emergency spending, which might constitute a surprise."

Strasser said one important duty of city government is to monitor tax rates, the budget and funding streams. He said an additional duty is to educate the taxpayers about how those revenue streams affect property taxes.

"The biggest challenge to manage is the tax rate," Strasser explained. "We must understand what it costs us to provide city services."

"There are high expectations for this administration from the community," Strasser concluded. "I realize that as the point-man on this, it is important to have good people in key positions to achieve common goals."

Strasser and the council will be sworn in Dec. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the city council meeting room at city hall. The public is invited to attend.