Thank you for visiting my new BLOG site. I started this site because I thought
citizens needed another way to receive factual, unbiased, real-time information
about issues facing our community. I
pledge to you that the information I communicate on this BLOG on a daily basis
will be as accurate as I can make it based on the facts that I have at the
time.
There are many important issues facing our city. This week State Auditor Dave Yost is visiting
Elyria to release the results of the VOLUNTARY PERFORMANCE AUDIT that the City
requested last year at the beginning of my term as Mayor. Results of the audit and my preliminary
response to the audit recommendations are posted for your review here. Elyria City Council and I asked
the State to perform this voluntary audit for a number of reasons.
First, as the new Mayor of Elyria, I knew it was
important to the City’s progress to see how Elyria compares to peer cities, and
to evaluate our efficiency and effectiveness based on peer comparisons, best
practices and industry and national standards.
The second reason for the audit was to assure you, the residents of our
community, that there are no secrets; this administration is totally committed
to transparent, accountable government.
Third, I thought it was important to establish a baseline for our
performance in order to be able to measure our progress in the future. So that you can track our progress, we are
creating a measurement system and Community Report Card to help you monitor our
performance. And lastly, in this very challenging financial
climate, it is more important than ever that the City of Elyria find new ways
to deliver high quality services in the most cost-effective ways. This audit will provide further context for
my administration and Elyria City Council to consider as we plan for a more
financially sound future.
Please take the time to read the audit and my response. Over the next several weeks, as dialogue
about the 32 recommendations contained in it and the City’s responses are
discussed in the local media – I hope you will visit this BLOG to view this
Mayor’s point of view. The City of
Elyria has incredible potential and the Brinda Administration is committed to
working with you, listening to you, and doing everything it can to provide the
best possible services at the lowest possible costs.
I welcome your comments and suggestions. If you would like to discuss any of these
issues further, please visit me and members of my senior staff at an upcoming
Mayor’s Night In – held the first Thursday of each month (except July) at
6:00pm in Council Chambers on the second floor of Elyria City Hall – 131 Court
Street. You can also call me at my
office at (440) 326-1402. And of course,
the public is welcome and encouraged to attend Elyria City Council meetings,
the dates of which are posted here.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to become more
informed about your City. Working
together, we can make Elyria - Ohio’s community of opportunity!
Sincerely,
Holly
C. Brinda, MPA
Mayor
