Hellenga Previews Goals for 2016 for City

The city of Toccoa sets its goals for the year ahead.

Last month, city commissioners met with City Manager Billy Morse and department heads for an all day planning retreat to look at the upcoming 12 months.

Toccoa Mayor Evan Hellenga said he feels the retreat provided a great opportunity for the commission and staff to come together and plan.

“I think it went very well,” said Hellenga. “They all have a wish list and they may not get everything on their wish list, but it is good to know to plan ahead. That is what it is about, planning for the future.”

According to Hellenga, one of the top goals is to continue economic development efforts, both through the retention and expansion of existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses.

Also, Hellenga said another goal is to help the city maintain a strong financial position in the year ahead.

He did say that the city has a number of other goals as well that it is looking to accomplish in 2016.

“We are also going to continue to look at some recreation activities at the golf course,” said Hellenga. “We are waiting to see on some grants for the walking trail to make it more useful for the non-golfers among us. We have some infrastructure work to do on the water plant, making sure we have good water quality and quantity. The dredging at Davidson Creek continues and that will hopefully will finish sometime mid-year.”

Hellenga said other goals include doing some needed work on Toccoa City Hall and continuing work on improvements to both Emory Johnson and Henderson Falls Parks.