GREENVILLE — Mayor Steve Willman has released his annual report to Greenville City Council for 2016.
The document is a collection of reports issued by each of the city’s departments, providing accounts of each department’s activities and accomplishments throughout the year.
In his introduction to the report, Willman, who was named to the position in September 2016 to replace former Mayor Mike Bowers, said the number-one goal of the city’s employees is to “do a great job for the people, the citizens of our community.”
He noted the many changes in personnel within the city over the course of 2016, including the resignations and promotions within the Fire Department and the Waste Water Plant. As well, he pointed out the ongoing work on the city’s streets and infrastructure.
Some city departments saw increases in revenue from 2015 to 2016.
Water revenue totaled $1,951,431 in 2015 and $2,170,190 in 2016, an increase of $218,758. Sewer and storm water revenue also saw increases from 2015 to 2016, with sewer revenue increasing more than $56,000 from one year to the next. Storm water revenue saw a $10,000 increase.
In all, the Water Department reported total 2016 revenue of $4,823,112 — an increase of $322,918 from 2015. The largest industrial consumers of water services were Andersons Ethanol, Continental Carbonic, and BASF.
The city’s Tax Department also reported a substantial increase in incoming money, by more than $440,000. Tax Administrator Robin Henry’s report states that the increase was “mainly attributed by an increase in Withholding Payments.”
Net income tax revenue for the city in 2016 was $7,376,606, representing an increase over the previous year of 5.6 percent.
Greenville Public Transit reported a rise in ridership of 1.25 percent in 2016. Public Transportation Director Pamela Garland stated in her report that rider demographics are changing.
“While the majority of our riders continue to be elderly or disable, millennials are using GTS instead of personal vehicles,” she wrote.
The Fire Department reported it responded to a total of 583 alarms in 2016. This includes 28 building fires, 51 motor vehicle accidents with injuries, 46 downed power line calls, and 27 medical assistance calls, among others.
Fire Chief Russ Thompson also reported there were 822 violations found during building inspections in 2016. The Fire Department also conducted 28 fire safety presentations to more than 1,400 people.
Greenville Police Department generated 2,382 written reports covering various crimes or incidents in 2016. Police Chief Dennis L. Butts states this number represents an increase of 201 reports versus 2015.
City police officers were involved in 15 incidents involving use of force, an increase of two from 2015. Six vehicle pursuits were initiated in 2016, an increase of four from the prior year.
Safety/Service Director Curt Garrison summarized many of the city’s projects during 2016, including road widening of Ohio and East Main Streets, Water Plant upgrades and maintenance paving.
Those interested in viewing the Mayor’s 2016 annual report can see it at the Greenville Municipal Building. The report can be emailed to citizens for free upon request. The cost to print a take-home copy of the report is 5 cents per page, payable to the city.