Mitchell Vision Plan

Introduction

Current Mitchell Volunteer Fire Department

The current city government is stationed at the Municipal Building on Sixth Street and includes the offices of the Mayor, Clerk-Treasure, Building Commissioner, and the Police Department. The Parks Department currently is not located at the Municipal Building, the Fire Department is located on Warren Street, and the waster/water department and School Corporation are located within the city.

This section will cover each city services and how they interact with each other, and possible relocation to minimize on monetary expenses and maximize community cohesiveness. This section will also focus on emergency management relations in the city along with communication between citizens and the city. In addition, the city should also focus on other resources inside the city that are not government, in order to enhance Mitchell’s position.

Specific goals include:

• Expand city services
• Improve emergency management
• Improve citizen/city relations
• Market Mitchell to industries
• Encourage business interaction
• Expanded youth activities

City Services

Example of a Fire House and City Hall combined in a downtown setting.

As the City of Mitchell begins to implement the changes suggested in this plan, all of the city services will receive an increase in demand due to use.  Therefore, the future should be taken into consideration early so the city services can become consolidated and centralized to the citizens.  This will make it easier for citizens to access the city, and to obtain a sense of community at the same time.

Goal

Expand on city services to provide more help to citizens, and combine facilities to make them more central to the city.

Recommendations

• Create space in City Hall for the parks department, eventually expanding the department.
• Create a position to deal with economic development.
• Combine all city departments into one Municipal Building located downtown along Main Street.

Emergency Management

Example of a Fire House in a downtown setting

The Fire Department is running at a high capacity and will need to expand as the city grows.  Because of this, the need for expansion of the Fire Department should be analyzed now, to avoid a delayed reaction.  Currently the township has a fire station near the city, and helps with city calls.  If these services were combined, a full-time ire department could be created, with financing combined from both entities.

Goal

Improve services in emergency management, especially in fire protection.

Recommendations

• Combine city and township fire departments to create one unified Fire Department
• Construct a new Fire Station along Main Street in Downtown. This new building should also be a new Police Station, and include space for the emergency vehicles.

Citizen Relations

Relations between the citizens and the government are currently at good standing.  However, with city expansion it may become more difficult for citizens to voice their concerns.

Goal

Develop better relations between citizens and the city.

Recommendations

• Assign a person to update the website periodically
• Create a nightly session for informal meetings with the mayor.
• Expand on the website including more information and updates.

Utility Company Involvement

Utility companies in the City of Mitchell have a wealth of information on the demographics of the city.  This information can be used by the government to attract economic development to the area.

Goal

Create a campaign, through the utility company, to market Mitchell to industries seeking new locations.

Recommendations

• Local utility companies should provide information on their customer base, and this information should be used to market the city to prospective industries.

Business Interaction

Goal

Stimulate economic development through business interaction.

Recommendations

• Encourage local businesses to communicate.
• Promote programs for business owners and employees to network.  These programs can include seminars, informational sessions, and holiday parties.
• Offer programs for local business education.
• Encourage a collaboration of stores to create a niche market.  Grants can be obtained through collaboration.
• Encourage Chamber of Commerce interaction with businesses.  A strong organization to lead other businesses and organizations will ultimately create a better business environment and quality of life.

Youth Activity

Goal

Promote a more active youth population while contributing programs that stimulate growth and quality of life.

Recommendations

• Organize youth organizations similar to YMCA or Boys and Girls Club.