Keokuk, IA – Tom Marion spent the weeks leading up to his inauguration meeting with now former Mayor Dave Gudgel. Marion says much of those discussions involved on-going projects and industrial recruitment.
Marion took the oath of office on Monday, January 4. He says much of his time, since then, has been spent on Keokuk's budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Marion has met several times with Finance Director John Russell to review the early numbers. The new mayor says they have also been looking for ways to streamline the process of actually crafting Keokuk's budget.
Marion wants to avoid micro-management by providing the city council with a preliminary budget for its review. Keokuk must have its budget done by mid-March.
Marion says some of his short-term goals, outside of the budget, are requiring insurance on downtown structures and getting up to speed on the multi-year, multi-million dollar sewer separation program. He also hopes to appoint a new city attorney, to replace himself, within the next week.
Marion will oversee his first Keokuk City Council meeting on Thursday, January 7.