ST. GEORGE — St. George Mayor Michele Randall will give her first-ever State of the City address next Tuesday at the Dixie Convention Center.
Set for 3 p.m. in the convention center’s Garden Room, it will also be the first State of the City address for St. George since the start of the pandemic. The last address was given by then Mayor Jon Pike in February 2020.
The mayor’s address, titled “State of the City 2022: Activity and Optimism,” will also be had during the Dixie Regional Transportation Expo, giving attendees a chance to learn more about of some of the transportation infrastructure projects Randell is likely to mention.
“I am excited to connect with all those who live and work in St. George — these opportunities are so valuable,” Randall said in a press release. “An added benefit to this event is that the Transportation Expo is just down the hall; you can attend both events and learn so much about St. George.”
State of the City addresses for St. George started under Pike in 2014. Each has focused on the progress made by the city in growth, infrastructure and policy over the previous year, while also giving attendees a preview of initiatives and projections for the year to come.
City transportation projects mentioned during the address that will likely overlap with those showcased during the transportation expo are likely to be the road-widening work on Mall Drive between between Riverside Drive and 3000 East, as well as road and drainage work being done on the 3000 East corridor.
How the city has fared through the last two years of the pandemic may also be a topic of discussion.
A review of the city’s growth as shown through the number of residential and commercial building permits issued is also likely to be shared, and has been a common theme of State of the City addresses from year-to-year.
The city’s continuing water needs and conservation efforts are also a big topic of the day and likely to be reviewed by the mayor in some manner. Following one of the worst drought years on record, there has been a heavy focus on water conservation throughout Washington County.
Over the last year the city has engaged in water conservation efforts and policy that has saved over 360 million gallons between June and September of 2021. Many millions more have been saved through continuing water-efficient irrigation practices and removing what has been classified as nonfunctional turf from city property.
More recently, the city has explored the creation of a stricter water-waste ordinance and enacted a six-month ban on new car washes and amusement centers as the staff uses the time to review and discuss what to do with the city’s development code related to projects known for their above-average water use.
Overall, recent achievements and future projects and initiatives involving public safety, arts, parks, recreation, transportation, infrastructure, housing and economic development will be highlighted during Randall’s State of the City address set for Tuesday.
She will also announce the dates and sites for the city’s four Neighborhood Open Houses, which will be sprinkled throughout 2022.
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