CITY of DANBURY ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Discover Danbury TABLE of CONTENTS from the DESK of the MAYOR
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es t. 1889 discoverdiscover DANBURY CITY OF DANBURY ANNUAL REPORT 2019 discover DANBURY TABLE OF CONTENTS FROM THE DESK OF THE MAYOR From the Desk of the Mayor ......................................................................................................... 1 City Line 311........................................................................................................................... 2 Prescription Discount Cards ........................................................................................................ 2 Organization Chart.................................................................................................................... 3 Office of the Mayor .................................................................................................................. 4 City Council ............................................................................................................................ 5 Business Advocacy .................................................................................................................... 6 Legislative Assistant .................................................................................................................. 7 Registrar ................................................................................................................................ 7 Town Clerk ............................................................................................................................. 8 Treasurer ............................................................................................................................... 9 Department of Finance ........................................................................................................... 9-12 Risk Management .............................................................................................................13 Tax Assessor’s Office ..........................................................................................................14 Tax Collector ...................................................................................................................15 Purchasing Department ......................................................................................................16 Information Technology ......................................................................................................17 Human Resources ....................................................................................................................18 Danbury Residents, Businesses, and Visitors, Corporation Counsel ................................................................................................................19 Public Works ..................................................................................................................... 20-21 This year’s Annual Report is your source for the latest happenings in your municipal government. This report highlights our Highway Department .........................................................................................................22 completed projects from the 2018/2019 fiscal year and details some of our upcoming plans. Parks Maintenance Division .................................................................................................23 Forestry Division ..............................................................................................................23 Our city is the model of growth and innovation for our state. Danbury has once again been ranked as “One of the Safest Cities in Equipment Maintenance Division ..........................................................................................23 Connecticut,” with crime rates dropping by 13% since the beginning of 2019. We were also reaffirmed with AAA Bond rankings, Public Utilities Division ......................................................................................................24 meaning Danbury continues to maintain a financially stable outlook. These are not recognitions that we receive by accident; we Construction Services ........................................................................................................25 achieve these honors by working as a team with leaders and various departments to address our biggest challenges, while remaining City Engineer ..................................................................................................................26 fiscally responsible. Public Buildings ................................................................................................................27 Police Department ...................................................................................................................28 We have had more small business owners choose Danbury as their new home thanks to our ‘Open for Business’ motto. In fact, we Fire Department ......................................................................................................................29 cut the ribbon on more than 900 new businesses last year. We work closely with business owners and developers, while keeping the Community Risk Reduction ........................................................................................................30 needs of our diverse community in mind. Emergency Management ............................................................................................................31 Planning & Zoning ...................................................................................................................32 We support Danbury arts and culture by encouraging creativity through programs such as the Cultural Alliance’s Accessible Arts Building Department ................................................................................................................33 Program, now showcasing 20 local artists in five venues including City Hall. We completed one part of a special project that installed Parks & Recreation ...................................................................................................................34 graphic wraps on downtown electrical boxes, turning them into artwork from local artists specifically in our downtown corridor Danbury Public Library .............................................................................................................35 where you can find both murals and a sculpture garden. There are new development plans for Main Street, many of which have Department of Permit Coordination ..............................................................................................36 already taken flight, as well as streetscaping work set to begin soon, that will further revitalize the heart of our city. Unified Neighborhood Inspection Team ..........................................................................................37 Elderly Services .......................................................................................................................38 Our school funding continues to be a concern for many residents, parents and teachers. As a former teacher I know the struggles Health & Human Services ...........................................................................................................39 our schools face on a daily basis, and as your Mayor, I know how much a cut in state funding can affect each student and teacher at Veterans Affair ........................................................................................................................40 every level. For this reason, I work hard to provide our schools with a budget increase every year. This year, I pushed for a $5 million Airport .................................................................................................................................41 increase to the education budget. This figure does not include the millions of dollars that we spend each year for school upkeep and Richter Park ...................................................................................................................... 42-43 upgrades. Tarrywile Park ........................................................................................................................44 Ives Concert Park ............................................................................................................... 45-46 Our Public Works and Highway Departments are working hard to keep up with the harsh winters that have left many roads in need Danbury Museum & Historical Society/Authority ............................................................................47 of repairs and extra maintenance. As a result, we reviewed all available sources of funding for roadwork, and developed a pay-as-you- Boards & Commissions ........................................................................................................ 48-49 go capital program. This has allowed me to increase this year’s paving budget by nearly 60% or $4.5 million extra dollars. We are Ordinance ........................................................................................................................ 50-51 milling and paving at a pace that will address the needs of several roads and neighborhoods. Telephone Directory ................................................................................................................53 The city’s dedicated staff are what make Danbury a great place to live, work, be educated, and do business. It is through teamwork with our employees,