LEXINGTON, Ohio – Lexington Mayor Eugene Parkison hopes to maintain the village’s arc of steady progress in 2016.
“I’m looking to keep everything in line and maintain the efforts that have been put forth,” he said.
He believes the village is at a high point, and the focus is on keeping the wheels on the cars.
“We’ve updated our sewer plant, we’ve updated our water plant,” Parkison said. “We’re not looking at anything dramatic as far as infrastructure building or anything of that category, it’s the usual resurfacing program.”
The city’s budget also reflects a secure standing.
“Revenue numbers do look positive, I’m not hearing anything negative as far as business is concerned,” Parkison said. “Overall, I think we at this point are stable and in the black, and that I’m very pleased with.”
According to Parkison, revenues from 2015 have taken an uptick thanks to improvements made at Next Generation Films and Stoneridge Hi-Stat. Both businesses are in the process of expanding, which means hiring more people and providing more employment for Lexington residents.
“Next Generation is looking at a 150,000 square-foot warehouse on State Route 97, targeted for construction in 2016,” Parkison said. “That will mean an addition of some jobs there as well.”
On the legislative side, Lexington’s village council will have a new face with the election of Erin Underwood. She will join council veterans Wynn Kearns and Bob Jarvis, who were re-elected. Former councilman Jeff Carter will take a new position as a trustee for Troy Township.
Parkison looks forward to working with his new legislative team and planning for the future of Lexington.
“I want to have a planning meeting which looks out into the future over the next three or four years,” Parkison said. “I do not see any negatives as I’m looking into 2016 and beyond.”
