The City of Mankato is a prosperous, diverse, regional community that has inviting neighborhoods, a diverse economy, quality schools, beautiful green space, and operates in a responsive, efficient, and fiscally responsible manner.

We strive for continuous quality improvement and innovative service delivery to best meet the needs of our residents, businesses, and visitors as Minnesota’s newest Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). In 2009, the Mankato-North Mankato area (including the counties of Blue Earth and Nicollet) was officially designated as a MSA. This designation is important to the future needs of our thriving regional community.

Some of the impacts associated with the change include a new source of transportation funding, direct allocation of the Community Development Block Program (CDBP) money, and other programs. The CDBP Program provides annual grants to entitled cities for “decent housing and a suitable living environment” and economic opportunities. Becoming an MSA will elevate the greater Mankato region to a higher marketing plateau and give the area advantages for recruiting businesses. Being a MSA is often criteria businesses use when examining communities.

Our elected officials and staff are dedicated and proud to serve you. Within the pages that follow, you will read about highlights from the decade and Fiscal Year 2009 accomplishments that further our strategic themes: community development, public infrastructure, and organizational development. Through these strategic themes we work to fulfill the strategic initiatives contained within the City of Mankato’s Strategic Plan including: City Center Renaissance, orderly growth, natural environment, taxpayer efficiency, neighborhood preservation, economic development, greater Mankato region, and transportation linkages. Advancement of these strategic areas continues to support our never-ending quest to full-fill the City’s Vision and Values.

The City Council adopted the 2010 Budget as the organizational business plan and framework. This budget is below FY 2007 expenditures and redefines service levels. Still, we continue to face further reductions to local government aid and will need to once again refocus our service levels mid-year. I firmly believe that the City of Mankato has an obligation to protect and preserve our community livability through the commitment of service delivery in a balanced, efficient, and innovative approach that does not abandon our strategic vision. Our past, present, and future strategic and financial approach in this manner will continue to position Mankato as a prosperous, diverse, regional community.

Access the full PDF version of the report.