For some people less is more,

but for Mayor Ralph Moore of Union City more is more. In a six page State

of the City address given at the opening of Tuesday's City Council Meeting,

the mayor gave a comprehensive overview of 2003 and projections for 2004

with a variety of facts and figures.

"Good work is being done

in Union City and quality of life continues to resemble that good work

through the accomplishments of 171 men and women who work for this great

city," Moore said in his opening remarks. He went on to mention awards

received for high standards in balancing the books of the city. Budgets

were reported to have been maintained over the last year even though "some

projected revenues specifically, sales tax fell short" Moore explained.

An elevated bond rating from

"A" to "A+" was lauded as "a very important position

for Union City." Four reasons were given for the rating. Maintaining

the city's strong financial position and reserve levels, the city's role

as a "bedroom community close to the growing metro area's economy"

and the city's modest tax base growth were all major factors. Finally

Union City's diverse revenue stream was given as another important reason

for the strong financial position.

An operating surplus of $2

million was compared to 2002's $322,000 surplus. The unreserved general

fund balance was more than twice it's required minimum of 25 percent at

55.5 percent.

Moore next turned his attention

to the city's growth. The population of Union City has grown from 11,621

in 2000 to approximately 15,090 at the present time. A total of 438 building

permits were issued last year by the city.

Permits for commercial development

in the area totaled 22 for 2003. Current plans for the construction of

a Wal-Mart Super Store within the LCI area were the latest of Union City's

commercial expansion according to the mayor's speech. Pointing out the

relatively low number of code modifications in the past year, Moore declared,

"That is just another testament to this city's commitment to get

it right."

���� Quoting President Theodore

Roosevelt on service, "Do what you can with what you have, where

you are," the mayor turned to those in the Public Safety Department

and vowed, "as long as I serve as their chief elected official I

will lobby elected officials to stay vigilant to a commitment to provide

them with the highest quality of equipment, training and compensation."

��� Numbers that ensured the

residents of Union City were being looked after with great care included

600 fire inspections and 1,300 fire and EMS calls in the previous twelve

months.

The police department's "readiness

through constant training and acquisition of state certifications"

showed that safety and public service were being practiced by more than

just the Fire Department.

Chief of Police Mike Isome

was quoted next by the Mayor.

"We are continually revising

our operational procedures to meet the demands of a growing community.

We remain committed to providing the highest level of service for our

citizens while managing our current resources in a responsible manner."

The Department of Human Resources

also got a mention in respect to a class given on cultural diversity,

"the first of this type given to city employees" Moore said.

Before he concluded his speech,

he made three requests of his Council member for the coming year.

The hiring of a land agent

to see over negotiations for land transfer or purchase of a linear park

within the LCI study topped the list. Next, the hiring of a consultant

to work on a form code policy that will directly effect future development

was given to the city manager and city planner to oversee. Last was the

consideration of the Council to put one-half of a percent of the annual

budget aside to construct a third fire station for the Christian City

area.

Moore ended his speech with

an old Native Indian proverb.

"Tell me and I forget.

Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I understand."

It was a challenge to the community

to become a part of what Union City is destined to become.