Artesia's 2025 State of the City: security gains, balanced books and a city center on the rise

Ali Sajad Taj, Mayor of Artesia, used his speech of the city in 2025 to design the year of Artesia as one of steady profits and common purposes, and said that the city was “united” when we reconcile its budget, reduce greater crime, invest in parks and position the city center for transit -oriented growth in the city center.

Mayor Taj reported a balanced budget with a surplus and pointed out a jump of 86% compared to the previous year to new business licenses-issued with an extension rate of 90% and underlines that business activities in a city that is not strongly dependent on property tax revenue.

The public commitment tools were expanded last year, including a monthly e-newsletter, broader social media-outreater, increased website traffic, a new flashvote survey platform and an online service request system that almost used the residents.

Taj said the goal was a more transparent and more reaction-fast town hall with real-time input slide decisions.

Public security was a central topic. The mayor reported a 42% reduction in severe crimes that were credited. The city has teamed up with Southwest Patrol to deter illegal activities in neighborhoods, parks and business areas and install 11 automated reader cameras for automated license plates to speed up the answers. With a view to the future, a new public service center space for the sheriff department, an emergency center and the department for community development will accommodate to strengthen coordination in emergencies and daily business.

In the infrastructure and beautification, the city completed the rehabilitation of citizens' pieces on six residential streets, installed decorative blacksmiths fences and landscape design along the recreational path of the historical district and ended phase 1 of a city -wide replacement program for sidewalk to remedy excursion risks. Internally, the urban modernized systems: Finance has triggered a new budgeting platform, the city clerk began to digitize records, and council chambers received an audiovisual upgrade. Additional staff will be added to satisfy the service issue.

Taj emphasized more than 19 million US dollars, which were secured in federal, state and local grants for infrastructure, park, emergency provision and community programs. These funds support improvements in Artesia Park and in the AJ Padelford Park, the development of the Artesia Botanical Garden and the creation of a hazard reduction plan and a climate adjustment plan. The city also started the Youth Activities League on August 13th to offer activities after school and mentoring for students in kindergarten up to eighth grade.

Parks and common rooms saw visible upgrades. The Albert O. Little Community Center received a new roof, a fresh color and a new floor. The city acquired two properties to expand AJ Padelford Park, where it installed outdoor exercises and immersed the basketball court again with new tires. Artesia Park received refreshing lighting, renovated baseball fields and new tires. The planning of the Artesia Botanical Garden with hiking trails, educational gardens and public art, which is characterized by the community input.

Economic development efforts are closely linked to the transit. Artesia is an important partner for the Southeast Gateway Light Rail project from Metro, which await the officials to catalyze the city center of revitalization, living and trade. Along the Pioneer Boulevard, the city approved a mixed project with more than 80 residential units and a restaurant on the roof and a specific plan in the city center, which is affected by transit-oriented development, support for small businesses and new apartments-for adoption for adoption. Mess AAA, which earned income in April, offers the financial basis for these initiatives.

Taj thanked with colleagues, employees, residents, companies and partners of the community and said that Artesia's progress was not only measured in numbers, but in a sense of unity and the common dynamics for the coming year.

Related