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To the Harris Community:
When I decided to run for mayor four years ago, I did so because I believed that if government was run more like a business, it would be more efficient and effective. It would have high quality financial statements and it would be more creative at finding and paying for solutions to problems.
When we started this journey, we began by holding public meetings where we developed a list of projects that would need to be completed for us to be successful in creating that well run government. Since that time, all of the original goals have been accomplished. They were followed by new goals, which have now been completed as well.
Some of those accomplishments include:
Updating and organizing the cities ordinances which dated back to the 1960s and 70s. They were creating legal risks for the city, because of the inconsistent application of rules for different people. The city now has a complete book of ordinances for the first time in our history.
Developing engineering standards for construction projects so that developers would know what was expected of them, and they could be sure that everyone had to meet the same standards.
Standardizing processes for sewer and water billing, so that everyone on the system would pay, rather than simply increasing rates for the 66 percent of the users that normally paid their bills while others did not pay.
Constructing a wastewater treatment plant to eliminate the damage being done to the environment, by our ponds which were leaking at a rate of 25 percent per day.
Constructing a water treatment plant to eliminate the radium and other unpleasant contaminants in our drinking water.
Setting up new organizational processes for the office, including filing systems, new computer software for water and sewer billing, and establishing a new general ledger that complies with government accounting standards.
Addressing all of the outstanding requests of our external auditors which had lingered for several years.
Placing proper controls on cash to protect public assets from abuse or fraud or theft. This included many changes, including the adoption and enforcement of a purchase order system to prevent unauthorized purchases.
Establishing accounting practices for making financial documents compliant with best practice standards, and to ensure that they are transparent (nothing can be hidden).
Reorganizing the fire department and upgrading their equipment to enhance response capabilities, professionalism, training and overall service and to better manage costs.
Constantly manage the cash on hand and always be able to account for it.
Consolidating the 5 different zoning maps that represented the city into one map, to eliminate the city’s ability to show favoritism by using different maps for different people.
Improving the overall efficiency of staff by ensuring that they had the equipment and tools necessary to do their jobs. This meant purchasing new computers and software, lawn mowers, trucks, and simple things such as hammers. It also meant closing and insulating the back garage area of city hall, and moving the council chambers to that area. These changes have been very successful and are now saving thousands dollars a month.
Creating opportunities for the city to grow and compete so we can become a thriving community rather than a dying community.
Rebuilding Ginger Avenue.
Making good use of all of the grants that are available. The city has received over $1 million dollars in grants in the last 18 months alone.
Cutting taxes throughout the process. Tax rates in Harris have dropped by over 11 percent during this time period.
If we are to continue to be successful into the future, we will need to keep looking for new ways to be efficient, rather than just leaving projects undone as a means of saving money.
I have always contended that the greatest difference between business and government is that when business sees a problem they develop a solution in spite of not having extra money to meet the need. Governments on the other hand tend to look for additional money to meet each need.
I will now get to the real point of my letter. The time has come for me to spend more time at home as a husband and father. I have four children at home, including two boys ages 11 and 9 and two girls ages 3 and 8 months. As of Dec. 31, I will be returning to the private life of changing diapers, fishing, and attending sporting events.
I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve the citizens of Harris these past four years and I am grateful to those that supported and prayed with and for me along the way. I am also thankful for God’s many answered prayers that came as we sought his guidance and blessings. I am also thankful for a fantastic office staff and for the council members who were eager to get things done. Finally, I am thankful to my wife and children who endured a lot during the past four years, including my absence at far too many meals and family events.
The groundwork has been laid for a positive future because major projects and improvements have been completed; but given the economic conditions we are facing as a nation because of the housing crisis, our next mayor will still have some to deal.
I will pledge my support to help whoever you elect as my replacement to get up to speed and off to a good start.
Sincerely,
Rick Smisson
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