Mayor Nicholls’ 2020 State of the City address recapped
Thursday morning, City of Yuma Mayor, Doug Nicholls, issued his 2020 State of the City address, via Facebook Live.
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - In Mayor Nicholls' opinion, 2020 started off strong for the City of Yuma.
The city’s unemployment dropped, average hourly earnings went up, and construction flourished.
That is until COVID-19 hit.
The City of Yuma is estimating a loss of revenue generation of $11.3 million.
While there is a rainy day fund set aside to help the city transition through this pandemic, the Mayor says the 2020 census outcome will be crucial this time around.
“In this COVID crisis, it became very clear that some of the funding would be based upon population. If our population numbers are not correct, we will not get the correct amount of funding moving forward.”
Currently, only 39% of Yumans have responded.
The mayor also reflected on 2019.
Last year, it wasn’t agriculture that placed Yuma on the national radar but immigration.
Unprecedented numbers of Central American families were released by Border Patrol into the Yuma community; overwhelming Yuma's temporary shelter system.
On April 16, 2019, Nicholls proclaimed a local emergency in order to try to address that concern.
Around that time, the city also hosted the first federal conference discussing the U.S Mexico Canada Trade Agreement.
In November 2019, Colorado River communities flooded Yuma's city hall in a battle over a water transfer request by GSC farms.
“Whatever happens to rural Arizona water, happens to our water,” Nicholls said.
Let’s not forget in 2019 Yuma earned the title as the third most patriotic city in America.
Mayor Nicholls highlighted the many events that took place throughout the year including the annual Mayors Binational Bike Ride and his community conversations.
A couple of events to look forward to, a drive-in movie happening Memorial Day weekend at Desert Sun Stadium!
Also, starting next year Arizona Western College and the City of Yuma will be hosting the Junior College Division I Softball Championship.
