Last year I shared the progress we have been making on our Strategic Plan key focus areas of Responsible Growth, Transportation & Infrastructure, Business & Economic Vitality, Public Health & Safety, Vibrant & Sustainable Community, and Government Excellence. I’m proud of the progress City staff and elected officials have made as we continue to innovate and enhance the services we provide to our residents and businesses. One of the cornerstones of our success has been our collaborative approach. We engaged with key stakeholders, looking for partnership solutions that amplify our collective impact. This spirit of collaboration enabled us to build upon our momentum and achieve our goals together.

Public safety services were expanded with large investments in both facilities and staffing, ensuring the safety and well-being of our community members and first responders.  Throughout the year, we also experienced advancements in infrastructure, supporting our city's foundation. Economic vitality continued to thrive, with various initiatives ensuring that Meridian remains a hub for business and innovation, and our transportation initiatives saw great strides - making commuting easier and more efficient for our residents.

We remained dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Meridian too, prioritizing open spaces and recreation. New pathways, public art, and additional park amenities were introduced to provide more opportunities for outdoor activities and leisure. We celebrated new businesses, large and small, coming to Meridian to grow employment opportunities.

We've maintained the high standard of customer service that our citizens have come to expect. As you peruse this report, you'll read about a lot of the accomplishments led by the dedicated Meridian team, whose commitment to the Meridian Way – implemented with CARE (Customer Service, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) – is evident in all our interactions with the community.

As we continue to plan for the future of Meridian, our focus areas support our mission, which is to deliver superior service through our committed and well-equipped employees, who are dedicated to the stewardship of the public's resources for the realization of our vision as a vibrant, livable, and connected community.

In this year’s Annual Report, located on our website at www.meridiancity.org/annualreport, we’ve highlighted the successes of 2023, and I want to say thank you to all of our employees for their work in moving our community forward. I believe we have not only met, but in many cases exceeded your expectations in the services we provide. Please know that we are not done yet, and there is more to do. I look forward to working alongside Team Meridian, and together, we will continue to build upon our vision of Meridian as the West's premier community in which to live, work, and raise a family.