The Jamestown City Council is expected to face “many difficult and challenging decisions” in its upcoming term, Council President Tony Dolce remarked this week.

Dolce was reelected council president Monday, and his comments came shortly before Kim Ecklund was sworn in as the city’s new mayor.

“As we move forward into 2024, I’m sure there will be many surprises and unforeseen challenges that the council will be faced with,” he said. “I want to ensure the residents of the city of Jamestown that we will meet these challenges and make decisions that are in the best interest of our constituents.”

Some of the financial challenges, Dolce said, relate to the pandemic.

“Shortly after beginning the 2020 term, we were hit with the COVID pandemic, which severely impacted and altered our community in a way in which we were forced to govern under trying circumstances,” Dolce said.

Jamestown received $28 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds. The federal stimulus money, Dolce said, went toward public safety, housing and neighborhood initiatives, and infrastructure, among other projects.

“With the end of ARPA allocations, our Finance Committee will need to look closely at future spending on projects, infrastructure improvements, capital spending, as well as the city budget,” the council president said. “In addition, this council and administration will also need to look at the possibility of bonding for much-needed projects and developments and understanding the financial impact it will have on future city budgets.”

Dolce said the council’s Housing Committee will be tasked with handling “ongoing issues associated with housing and neighborhoods.” That includes code enforcement, housing demolitions and rehabilitation, he said.

“The new 19A program will allow us to rehabilitate homes and give homebuyers incentives to invest in our neighborhoods,” Dolce said Monday.

Regarding the Public Safety Committee, he said the council will “work closely with our police and fire departments in the best and safest ways to deal with crime, drugs and gun violence.”

He added, “Our newly established nuisance officer will be an asset to this committee and to the city in dealing with quality-of-life issues affecting the safety of our residents and neighborhoods.”

Dolce said the city will again be tasked with dealing with the increase in homelessness and the growing population of refugees. “We need to work with our private sector partners, foundations, educational institutions and faith communities to ensure the safe and successful care and transition for all in our community.”

Dolce congratulated Ecklund, a longtime city councilwoman, on becoming mayor. He noted that she is “no stranger to city government,” having been on the council for 20 years.

“It will definitely be a different role for her as the city’s chief executive,” he said. “However, Kim’s experience with her work in finance in the private sector as well as her work on council as the Finance Committee chair for the past four years will serve her well. The City Council is looking forward to working with Kim during this new term.”