Mayor Kim Ecklund’s first State of the City address focuses more on what she’s done in her first four months in office than setting a grand vision for her first term.

That’s because the mayor and her team are still assessing the state of the city’s finances before setting a list of priorities the city may not be able to afford. Ecklund released her first State of the City address Thursday, taking a page from former Mayor Sam Teresi, who after years of presenting the address in person during a City Council voting session presented a written report to the council in 2017. Doing so meets the requirements set forth in the City Charter, though it’s a departure from the traditional in-person speech.

“In closing, I want to express my gratitude to the members of the Jamestown City Council, President Dolce, and all residents for your unwavering dedication to the prosperity of our city,” Ecklund said. “While we await the results of the upcoming 2023 audit, I’m proud to highlight the strides we have made since assuming office in January 2024. Despite the ongoing assessment of the city’s status for 2024, our administration has remained resolute in its commitment to enhancement and innovation. Looking ahead, Jamestown is not only focused on addressing immediate challenges but also on charting a course for sustainable growth and development. By modernizing infrastructure, embracing innovative solutions, and prioritizing community engagement, we are laying the foundation for a vibrant and inclusive city.”

This week’s release of a printed State of the City report comes after Ecklund was questioned by city resident Doug Champ why the update hadn’t been given yet. Most years the address is given to the council sometime in January, as is customary at most levels of government, though County Executive PJ Wendel didn’t give his State of the County address until late April this year.

One reason for the delay, Ecklund said, is the difficulty closing the city’s 2023 financial year.

“The assessment of the city’s status for 2023 is ongoing,” Ecklund said. “Despite the recent completion of the annual 2022 fiscal audit, its delayed submission created significant challenges. With the 2022 audit now concluded, our administration is focusing on finalizing the 2023 financials. It is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of our financial position at the end of 2023 to accurately portray the current state of the city in 2024. Until the audit for 2023 is finalized, we are unable to offer a detailed summary of the year. However, I’d like to take this opportunity to provide everyone with an update on the developments at City Hall since assuming office on January 1, 2024.”

Ecklund said one of the first things she did was implement a standard work shift for City Hall employees so some offices are no longer closed during lunch breaks when some city residents need to access them during the day. Ecklund said she also implemented staggered employee breaks so that offices are kept open throughout the day.

While the conversion to a new financial software program has required the city to spend more than originally budgeted, Ecklund touted the conversion to Springbrook in her State of the City update, saying the system will improve efficiency in City Hall.

“By consolidating information into centralized platforms, we are eliminating redundant documentation across multiple programs and applications. The new software will not only be more user-friendly but also facilitate greater interactivity and collaboration between departments. Access to information will be swift and seamless, empowering our teams to make informed decisions promptly,” she said.

As was reported earlier this week, the city is also implementing a new code enforcement software program, GovPilot, that will allow city residents to submit grievances directly.

Jamestown’s $28.3 million American Rescue Plan Act funding is 90% is earmarked toward projects, though the money is still being spent. Money has to be spent by the end of the year.

“The remaining 10% is reserved for contingencies, pending further evaluation of emerging needs and priorities,” Ecklund said. “Currently, we are in the final stages of assessing the allocation and utilization of these funds under the diligent oversight of City Comptroller Ericka Thomas. A comprehensive audit of expenditures and remaining funds is underway across all municipal departments. With a projected balance of just over $1 million from the ARPA allocation, we are strategically considering various initiatives to maximize the benefits for residents. A top priority is addressing the long-overdue roof replacement at City Hall. This commitment to essential infrastructure improvements underscores our dedication to fiscal responsibility and citizen well-being.”

How to best handle increasing homelessness in Jamestown has also been on Ecklund’s agenda this year. She touted the start of construction on an 18-bed women’s shelter that is expected to open later this year, the city’s attempts to help the UCAN City Mission reopen after it had to close temporarily earlier this year when the First Street building needed updates to its heating system and asbestos were found. She said the city is engaging with community partners to help where it can.

“In efforts to address homelessness, the involvement of every community member is essential. We are dedicated to providing assistance and promoting information sharing to effectively confront this challenge,” Ecklund said. “While we are committed partners, it is key to recognize that Chautauqua County and Chautauqua Opportunities Inc. (COI) lead as the designated continuum of care and homelessness prevention service providers for the entire county.”

To read the entire update, visit jamestownny.gov.