Today is the first Monday of the month of June and we are almost halfway through the year! So much has already happened this year, yet we have so much more in store. We are looking forward to entering the end of this pandemic but meanwhile, we are still in search of what the new normal will be for us. Let us continue working together!
It is often brought to my attention that many of the practices and procedures of the city are not known by the general public. Our citizens are struggling at times to get the right information. In some, instances it is because inaccurate information is easy to find. There is also the responsibility of making the accurate information accessible to those who not only want it but need it. The city functions to the benefit of the citizens. There are areas that need improvement.
City Hall houses the office of the Mayor and her assistant, the City’s Collector, Payroll Clerk, Accounts Payable Clerk, HR Director and the Public Works Department, including the Public Works Director, his Assistant, the Code Inspector and Enforcer as well as the City Clerk and the Fire Department officials.
It is where you need to go to obtain licenses and permits for businesses, buildings and even to burn things. We strive to make things efficient for our citizens and we need to hear from you to ensure that is happening.
Records for the City, including meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds and general history are found in City Hall. It is also the location for the City Council meetings and several other boards and commissions of the city.
The El Dorado Water Utilities is a part of the city, but functions differently than the city to a degree. The City Council and Public Works Director are common denominators. Any issues with the water utilities are best resolved through their office, but if there is no resolution, there you should contact the Public Works Department or your Council members. There is also a monthly meeting held at the Municipal Auditorium for the Water Utilities Advisory Board and another for the Water Utilities/Public Works Board which is made up of City Council members.
It is evident that the more the general public is informed, processes and procedures are more frequently shared. While we encourage citizens to attend the monthly meetings, we also encourage participation before and afterwards.
Meetings are held to address and resolve issues that may require a vote or to inform the city at large. We want the individual citizens to be aware of how to address personal and community issues without having to wait for the next meeting. That makes understanding how things work imperative. Even with the understanding of how things should work, we must recognize that some practices must be revised to efficiently serve our citizens.
The only way we are to have a successful city is for every aspect of it to be successful. We must continue to bridge the communication between elected officials, city leaders, city employees and our citizens. May this year proceed with opportunities to work together to achieve a noticeably clear new normal that benefits the entire city. We are in this together to work together and succeed together!
Veronica Smith-Creer is the Mayor of El Dorado. She can be reached at [email protected].