Beavercreek’s City Manager Delivers 2023 State of the City Address

Beavercreek's City Manager, Pete Landrum, delivered the 2023 State of the City address during city council's regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, December 11, 2023. Throughout the presentation, Landrum provided updates on the city's budget, operational and capital accomplishments in 2023, and outlined future plans for city improvements to enhance services.

Landrum began his presentation explaining the ongoing process of the city's 2024 budget since July. This included two public work sessions allowing residents to provide input. He then detailed the city's anticipated revenue for 2024, emphasizing that property taxes contribute the majority at $29.62 million (61.6%). Intergovernmental revenue at $6 million (12.5%) and grant revenue at $3.62 million (7.5%) are the second and third-largest sources of revenue.

"We are approaching $30 million in property taxes as our primary revenue source," Landrum stated. "There are cities where this constitutes 5% of their budget, as their primary revenue source is an income tax."

Property tax revenue will increase in 2024 following the passage of a 1.8 mill police levy, while the city's other voted levies will remain relatively the same, historically increasing by one to two percent each year. Landrum explained the impact of 2023 home reappraisals on the city's budget, emphasizing that fixed levies are not affected. He went on to explain that the city's general fund and police pensions, which are inside millage, are both positively and negatively impacted by property reappraisals. Following property reappraisals by the Greene County Auditor's Office, the city's 2024 property taxes increased by 3.42 percent compared to 2023, not including the new police levy.

Breaking down the city's expenditures planned for 2024, Landrum presented a graph that showed a majority, $21.65 million (44.1%), will be allocated to street maintenance projects and capital improvements. The second-largest expense, $12.94 million (26.4%), will be dedicated to public safety, specifically the police department. Wages and benefits constitute the largest portion of the city's budget, reflecting the nature of the city as a people service industry. Landrum highlighted a $1.3 million increase from the previous year, attributed to the addition of five police officers following the passage of the police levy, along with budgeted wage and insurance increases for 2024.

The second-largest expenditure for the city in 2024 is capital, totaling $16.2 million (33%). This includes significant construction projects along major roadways and other smaller projects. Contractual expenses rank third at $8.08 million (16.4%), covering various services such as street resurfacing, curb repairs, legal fees, liability and property insurance, health services, animal control, audit costs, recreational programs, and the city's quarterly newsletter.

The city has allocated approximately $1.9 million for repairs and upgrades to various city facilities. This includes phase one of a sidewalk program, ditch restoration program, and funding for a citywide ditch master plan. Additionally, essential roof repairs have been budgeted for the city's maintenance facility and city hall, along with the continuation of long-term maintenance programs for the golf course, including bunker renovations, cart path resurfacing, and clubhouse repairs.

In 2024, the city also plans to continue its efforts in essential maintenance and capital repairs in city parks. This includes projects such as replacing the playground Walnut Grove Park, replacing the bridge at Stafford Park, and creating an asphalt path around Virgallito Park. Furthermore, the city will focus on making improvements throughout the community by implementing a new veteran's banner program and enhancing city entryways.

During the State of the City address, Landrum presented a video showcasing the city's accomplishments by each department. Following the video, Landrum highlighted the city council's strategic priorities, which encompass creating diversified and sustainable revenue, engaging and informing the community, planning infrastructure, right-sizing the workforce, establishing family-friendly parks, and ensuring public safety through prevention, education, and support.

In his concluding remarks, Landrum emphasized the need for a new police department building and city hall to better serve residents, meet staff needs, and enhance compliance with accreditation standards. He also discussed the need for additional funding for the city's parks division to cover maintenance costs and address the city's unfunded backlog of infrastructure.

To conclude the State of the City, Landrum expressed gratitude to Beavercreek residents for their commitment to shaping the community and thanked City Council for the trust placed in him.

"The city's success is a direct result of the way our leadership, departments, and staff worked collaboratively with City Council and the community to make Beavercreek the wonderful city that it is today," said Landrum.

Landrum's State of the City presentation, as well as the city's year in review video, five-year capital improvement plan, and municipal budget can be accessed on the city's website by clicking here.

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