City Corner: A look at City Hall accomplishments in 2024 – Ashland News – Community-Supported, NonProfit News

The year saw growth in the Ashland Fiber Network and the issuance of 1,100 building permits

The 2024 city of Ashland list of accomplishments highlights numerous advancements and initiatives across various departments. Following is a summary of the key achievements. A complete list of achievements for 2024 can be found at ashlandoregon.gov/Accomplishments.
• AFN expanded fiber-optic infrastructure and reached a new customer milestone of 4,264.
• Processed more than 1,600 connections and disconnections.
• Launched a new website with increased traffic and expanded social media presence.
• Awarded over $255,000 for beautification and events and provided childcare subsidies supporting 38 children.
• Issued over 1,100 building permits and processed numerous land use applications.
• Major projects included new affordable housing, the Midtown Urban Lofts and Ashland High School renovations.
• Advanced planning for future developments, including affordable housing and new parks.
• Supported sustainability with initiatives such as electric vehicles, solar installations and energy efficiency loans.
• Assisted Springfield, Oregon, with mutual aid and responded to numerous outage calls.
• Enhanced network security, launched new ticketing systems and improved business continuity with upgraded software.
• Focused on wildfire prevention through thinning and controlled burns.
• Awarded $350,000 in Affordable Housing Trust Funds for projects supporting affordable housing and homelessness prevention.
• Onboarded 43 new employees and kept turnover at 8%.
• Launched a compensation and classification study, with updates to city policies.
• Appointed a new judge and implemented an online records system.
• Hosted expanded community events such as Summer Sounds concerts and the Bear Creek Salmon Festival.
• Managed nearly 25,000 calls for service and investigated over 2,500 cases.
• Hired seven new officers and reinstated the School Resource Officer program.
• Started major rehabilitation projects for the Community Center and Pioneer Hall, expected to reopen in 2025.

These accomplishments reflect the city’s continued commitment to improving infrastructure, public safety, sustainability and community well-being. “We are better together!”

Sabrina Cotta is the city manager of Ashland. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Email letters to the editor and Viewpoint submissions to [email protected].…Read more by Jim