Jamestown  (CSi)  Jamestown Mayor Dwaine Heinrich has reached mid-term of his four year term, and on Monday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, he looked back on the first two years, and ahead to the next two years.

He said when he took office, in 2018 his concern was, and continues to be city finances and budgeting…spending versus income.  That includes depletion of the General Fund’s Reserves.

He pointed out that property taxes were increased, as 100 percent of property taxes fund the police and fire department and municipal court budgets.  He said at that time residents were generally accepting of the increase.

The city currently is in meetings for the 2021 budget, and among concerns make sure the city budget has two million dollars in reserves.  He added that the city still has no information at this time as to how much the city will receive in state funding.  He added that state finances have collapsed, pointing to the uncertainty of upcoming state revenues.  He said in the preliminary 2021 city budget city employees will not receive a pay raise, in order to hold down on city spending.

One or two more budget meetings are expected to be held in July.

He said Jamestown residents have been understanding concerning issues of dealing with flood preparations and blizzards and cooperating to slow the spread of  COVID-19, and businesses support limited hours of operations, and changes on how they serve their patrons.

Looking ahead he said, the new plant development at Spiritwood Energy Park, and other economic development plans will help Jamestown move forward.

Plans continue with downtown development, with Eagle Flats housing  and the Jamestown Airport Business Park, the location for the National Guard Armory.