ROCHELLE — On Tuesday, March 19, City of Rochelle Mayor John Bearrows and City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh presented their 2024 State of the Community address at City Hall and live on Facebook. 

The presentation covered city finances and employment, 2023 accomplishments and 2024 goals. In its operations, the city adheres to its strategic plan goals of economic & business development, financial management & stability, community inclusivity & engagement, infrastructure effectiveness & improvement, core service delivery, and quality of life.

"Everything we're talking about today, what we've accomplished as a team and what we hope to accomplish in 2024 ties back to one or all of these items," Fiegenschuh said.

The city's current fiscal year budget is $125.5 million. Fiegenschuh and Bearrows touted the city's rising equalized assessed value and stable property tax levies. 

"Our cash balance and financial snapshot are excellent," Bearrows said. "It's the best position the city has been in for many years. I think that's because of a lot of diligence on the part of a lot of folks. Hats off to everyone for making this happen."

The city currently has 126 employees. It has 44 part-time employees and nine participating in early separation incentive programs. 

The city's 2023 accomplishments from the presentation included the hiring of police officers and firefighter/paramedics, completing a joint fire training facility with the Ogle-Lee Fire Protection District, its largest sidewalk replacement project to date, work on its new Rochelle Intermodal Transload Center to replace the now-closed Global III intermodal facility, remodeling of its new building for city and Rochelle Municipal Utilities staff at 1030 S. 7th St., improvements at Railfan Park, new industry and commercial investment by businesses including Zekelman Industries and Breakthru Beverage, and groundbreakings being held for two new apartment complexes near Willis Avenue on the city's south side. 

"This is probably one of the proudest years for myself as city manager," Fiegenschuh said. 

Goals for 2024 detailed by Bearrows and Fiegenschuh included continuing to hire police officers and firefighters, downtown improvements utilizing grant funds, the reconstruction of the Flagg Road and 20th Street intersection, the reconstruction of South Main Street from Veterans Parkway to Steam Plant Road, the reconstruction of Well 8 and phase two of upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant, and continuing to prepare for the state to reconstruct and widen Illinois Route 251 on the north side of town, which is currently slated for 2027.

To close the presentation, Bearrows thanked city staff.

"I could not be any more proud of each and every one of them," Bearrows said. "When I came in as mayor five years ago they were very receptive and supportive. What I see now is a team. Everybody works together for the same thing. You can make an amazing amount of progress if you don't worry about who gets the credit. I'm happy to be your mayor and I look forward to the next 12 months to see what's ahead for us."