State of the City by Mayor Evans

 As I sit to craft the State of the City, I recognize how grateful I am to be your Mayor. Our first year in office has been a whirlwind of activity. 

As a business owner for more than 22 years, the biggest adjustment has been the speed at which things can happen in government. We began the year by having to re-establish all the City’s online accounts for grants and capital outlay through the federal and state systems. 

This experience slowed us down in the first three months, but it demonstrated to us that the City needed a succession plan that would ensure no administration or mayor would have to start from scratch. I will not bore you with the numbers or statistics but will instead address the high points and relevant data to give you a picture of where we are, as well as where we are going.

The City of Central is in an exceptionally good position to continue the aggressive plans of improving our roads and drainage system. Our first year has seen the largest road project we have ever undertaken, and we are nearing the completion. 

Barber Brothers and Material Resources were awarded through the bid process projects to redo or preserve 16 miles of roadway in our City. I know it has been an inconvenience, but I also know that the result will be great for the next generation of residents. 

Our first project was the largest we will do in our first term, and it came in at $6.5 million. We anticipate spending from $2 to $2.5 million dollars annually on road improvements going forward.

Our public works crews have revamped their approach to providing services to the citizens. We now use a programmatic approach — instead of a reactive response — to maintenance issues. 

We are intentionally digging ditches using modern technology, in hopes of restoring our neighborhood drainage systems to original condition. Unlike our old way of just digging, our new approach will require more revenue to complete because it involves changing culverts to the proper size and placing them where necessary. 

The technology we are using creates maps and inventories our drainage system so it can be maintained accurately for many years to come. Future generations will have the access and ability to continue this program. 

We have done the same with the dreaded potholes. In 2023, we repaired 969 potholes. Our efforts have reduced the number of calls for pothole repair by 50 percent.

We have made beautification a priority. Green Seasons is a corporate partner, and they are mowing the grass on every major roadway in our City. Additionally, we use them for litter control, and the results are noticeable. 

Our team has secured grant funding from Keep Louisiana Beautiful, and we have installed litter cameras at various places, as well as installed new signage to remind people not to litter. 

On April 20, we will have our second annual “Love the Boot” Day. Please join us to keep Central clean. We also planted trees along Sullivan Road and will continue landscaping around the City.

New construction of houses remains slow but steady. We issued 55 new residential building permits in 2023. The City has always had a very conservative ideal for residential growth and that will continue as we move forward. In 2023, 25 residential lots were approved. 

Updating the City’s Master Plan will continue in March, and the focus will be to keep the area north of Hooper Road rural. We are working to develop a Light Manufacturing/Office Warehouse Zoning classification for our code in hopes of bolstering our business sector and giving service businesses a place to operate.

2023 was a year of reorganization for the City as well as the Central Chamber of Commerce. The City and Chamber have been in a partnership to promote and foster economic development in the City. 

It has been my desire to spend occupational license fees on economic development. The Chamber and City collaborated with Sen. Bodi White to secure funding for a strategic economic development plan. Faith, Family, and Education will be at the center of our economic objectives. We have brought Ron Erickson on to do economic development full time for the City.

The administration has always wanted to see development of a downtown corridor. All the way back in 2007, the City started planning and discussing the idea. We have taken those plans and created a vision. 

“Mainstreet 2030” encompasses much of the heart of the City. It involves investment from State Capital Outlay and incorporates improved flood control while encouraging revitalization. 

Phase 1 of “Mainstreet 2030” plan includes additional parking, a 110-acre lake, a road that will connect Sullivan Road and Wax Road at the Central High School, space for the school to relocate their baseball and softball fields in the future, a multi-use equestrian arena, a storm shelter that also houses an indoor sports arena, soccer fields, walking/jogging paths, preservation of property and greenspace. 

Phase 2 will have an equestrian-friendly RV resort, as well as a Surf Lake, and space for supporting businesses and hotels. 

The Central Community School System has agreed to sell the city 2.73 acres next to the new administration building for the construction of a City Hall. 

We selected Grace Hebert Chenevert Architects to design a building that is complimentary to the school administration building but is uniquely City Hall.

The City has applied for five different flood control projects along our local watersheds. The goal is to relieve flood concerns while at the same time creating areas for recreational activities for our citizens. 

We received a grant from DOTD to create a pedestrian plan that will connect our City with the multi-use paths. These local watersheds will connect our flood projects and park resources through a collaborative partnership with BREC. 

We are excited about the opportunities this will create for an enhanced quality of life.

The parish and state will continue working on the Sullivan Road project, as well as completing a preservation project on Joor Road from Hooper Road to Core Lane in 2024. 

We have bolstered our relationship with these entities by stressing a spirit of collaboration in service to the taxpayers. Our relationship with our state and local leadership is strong, and I feel confident as we move forward.

Tax revenue grew at a modest 3 percent in 2023. Our investment portfolio has increased due to the City’s switch to an active money management plan. We have regular meetings with our advisors to ensure that we maximize the City’s investment objectives. 

2023 saw interest earnings of $2.8 million dollars. The increase in rates, as well as how our money is being managed, to provide and deliver services to the citizens.

In closing, 2023 was a remarkably busy, yet rewarding year. The City saw aggressive changes in how we serve you, and we have implemented policies and processes that will continue to improve. Our goal is to serve you to the best of our ability, and to improve every citizen’s quality of life.