Welcome to the inaugural edition of "Yukon Pathways", a space where I will share my reflections, insights, and vision for the City of Yukon.
As we stand at a critical inflection point, our city is experiencing a unique "Goldilocks moment" – we are not too big, nor too small; we are just right. Yukon has settled into a stable population of slightly over 27,000 residents.
While many communities focus on rapid growth, our path forward emphasizes the thoughtful enhancement of what we already possess. Incremental population increases will continue, but much of our "growth" will stem from improving the resources and infrastructure within our current borders. I like to say we are "stable and improving."
A great business leader I once worked for shared a powerful lesson: "A leader or coach should never be measured solely by what they achieve; they are measured by what they achieve with what they have been given." This resonates deeply as we look at our beautiful community, rich in heritage, with outstanding neighbors, engaged leaders, responsible businesses, and excellent schools. We have inherited a strong foundation from those who came before us.
Now, the challenge ahead is clear: Will we steward this inheritance well into the future for our children and grandchildren, or will we allow it to slowly fade, or worse, collapse? Great cities must adapt at critical junctures, and Yukon is no exception. Our rich history brings deferred liabilities, notably aging infrastructure such as roads, water pipes, and sewers.
We must double down on our efforts to maintain, repair, and replace these critical, often invisible, assets of our city. In this year's proposed budget, we have strengthened our commitment to roads, water pipes, sewers and other city infrastructure. This is our path forward – a route that respects our history, reinforces our current infrastructure, and builds a solid foundation for a vibrant future.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Let's walk this path together.