By Unsie Zuege
   Victoria Mayor Mary Hershberger Thun presented an overview of Victoria’s vision of the future and the city council’s strategic planning at a Breakfast with the Mayor on Wednesday, June 17. The event was sponsored by the SouthWest Metro Chamber of Commerce at Deer Run Golf Club.
   Hershberger Thun laid out city goals that included long term financial planning, effective staff training and development, developing a marketing plan for the city, providing lifestyle/workforce housing, developing partnerships with other entities and cities to push Highway 5 and other transportation projects, planning future city facilities including a city hall, and developing a work plan to implement the city’s park and trails plan.
   Hershberger Thun describes the city as being fiscally conservative and compared Victoria’s financial health to others cited in a report from the State of Cities 2009.
   The key findings, she read, is that of those cities who reported improved financial conditions in 2008, 40 percent have dropped sharply, with one in 10 now reporting that they are less able to meet their city’s financial needs. In contract Hershberger Thun said the city’s financial director Jylan Johnson is “confident the city can meet our obligations.”  
   As further evidence of the city’s financial health, Hershberger Thun pointed out that 99 percent of Victoria residents pay their utilities and their city taxes.
   “It’s not to say that many of us are not affected by the economy but we as a community are careful with our resources and pay for what we use.”
   The report also said that two thirds of cities reported their fund balances have shrunk. In contrast, Victoria’s fund balance is over 35 percent. The city’s fund balance, she explained is to ensure the city can pay its bills.
   Finally, the city is determined to deliver city services.
   “We’ve kept up our roads, we’ve encouraged businesses, and we’re confident we’re in a good place to take advantage of opportunities that will come in the future.” Hershberger Thun urged the audience to be a part of the community’s future.
   “Its imperative that you’re a part of tomorrow as a positive forward moving source,” she said. “We cannot continue as a great city without you.”