Promises Made.
Promises Kept.
I share your desire to preserve our quality of life in Fairhope.
After residents called out for change in 2016, a positive movement was formed. Like ripples in the ocean, we united to form a current that became a mighty wave of accomplishments.
With significant accomplishments behind us, we must keep this wave of progress going.
JOIN THE WAVE
The commitments I made in 2016 before I took office were spelled out in four simple bullet points:
Without these promises, four years could have gone by with no way to measure success. By developing an amazing leadership team, we set forth progressive goals for each department which have been achieved and will be unfolding in the next few years. We have been all about results and it is evident in this year’s State of the City highlights.
The WAVE of Accomplishments
Click on each icon below to read more about Karin’s Commitments & Results to you!
With over 44% population growth from 2010 to 2018, it is no surprise that leadership for responsible growth and development will still be my priority.
Created a proactive planning dept enforcing smart development
Put an end to crony contracting and development approvals
Secured Comprehensive Land-Use Planning with a funded citizen engagement vision starting this fall
Restructuring the Planning Commission
Brought in the very best experience in our Planning Department
Redined the approval process with increased community and developer communication
Invested $30M in City and Utility Infrastructure this term without borrowing money and obtained $23M in grants and restoration money
Implemented a funded $40M plan fully upgrading sewer, water, gas, and electric infrastructure with the direst improvements completed by 2022
Took back ownership of Fairhope Docks, dredging, built new fuel dock, replaced bulkhead and instituting a clean marina.
Invested $16.5M in long-neglected facility maintenance
Obtained $18M in RESTORE funds for comprehensive land-use planning, $6.2M RESTORE-funded Working Waterfront Project , Sewer System Rehabilitation and a plan to prevent SSOs on the Eastern Shore
Keeping citizens engaged and up to speed with what is going on in their community promotes accountability and in many cases thwarted projects from moving forward without you. Third party rights to both the K-1 Center and the Triangle property were going to be given away without any citizen engagement. Safeguarding this right will continue under my leadership.
Launched Fairhope 311 to substantially improve citizen services and communication with the City and Utility Departments.
As a strong fiscal conservative, I:
Established a transparent honest budget
Reversed an annual $6M deficit to fiscal health
Eliminated the City’s need for 50% of utility profits to pay government expenses.
Ensured utility profits used for critical infrastructure improvement needs
Obtained $23M in grants and restoration money
Increased City & Utility cash funds 59.18%: $17,029,785
Paid off long term City debt $7,081,616 in June 2019
Paid down Utility long-term debt 33.34%: $6,596,942
We must stay the course.
The best is yet to come!
“I want Fairhope to be the city that brought me home, that brings our children and their children home.”
-Mayor Karin Wilson
