WARSAW – If you think Mayor Joe Thallemer plans to coast through his third term in office, guess again.

Minutes after all elected city officials were sworn in Monday, Jan. 6, Thallemer addressed the council about initiatives and plans he hopes they will consider in 2020.

As he’s done after each of his first two elections as mayor, Thallemer is calling upon council members to join him in a strategic planning session set for Jan 29 to chart their plans for the city over the next four years.

“My pledge is to work as hard as I have the last eight years and I know you will as well. We’ve got a big to-do list,” Thallemer told council members.

Thallemer recapped three major on-going initiatives: Helping shape the path of a future US 30 through the city; Work to reduce the shortage of workforce housing; continuing working together to combat the drug crisis and the mental health crisis.

But the city is also seeking to improve efficiencies as it continues to see its population and the size of the city expand.

Baker Tilly will provide an operational review of departments and make recommendations on how to improve efficiencies. The consulting firm will also assist with the strategic planning effort.

“With the growth we’ve experienced, the expansion of not only our population but our footprint, there are probably things that we’re not doing as well as we could,” Thallemer told.

Some of that could involve possible changes in the city structure. Thallemer recently tossed out a few ideas that might be considered. Those include:

• The building and plan office has seen its workload expand as the city grows and could be divided.
• Establishment of a city garage for all vehicles.
• Stormwater is part of the wastewater department but officials believe it might make more sense for it to be shifted under the engineer’s office.
• Establishment of an IT department.

 

“We’re looking at all these questions,” Thallemer said. “We’re hoping the efficiencies may save us money, but they may say you may need two more employees here …”

The city will pay Baker Tilly about $64,000 for its work on the operational review and assistance with the strategic plan initiative.

In other matters, council chose Jack Wilhite to serve as council president.

Wilhite was chosen to lead the council in a unanimous vote after Diane Quance indicated she did not want to continue as president.

Wilhite, entering his second term, thanked council members for their support.

“We’ve had few rough patches in the past few years and I have great hopes that we can unify and come out of this a stronger, wiser council for the citizens of Warsaw,” Wilhite said.