Mayor Gary Carey delivers his State of the City Address for 2025, highlighting "acceleration" as this year's theme to reflect the increased velocity of growth and development in Walker. Public safety remains a top priority with exceptional community engagement from police and fire departments resulting in a 22% decrease in major crimes over two years despite the city's rapid growth.
• The Fruit Ridge Bridge project will have the biggest impact on residents in 2025, serving 16,000 jobs within a two-mile radius and including a non-motorized trail for enhanced safety
• Walker's strategic financial approach relies on income tax for 65% of revenue, allowing services to improve without raising property taxes
• The city maintains minimal long-term debt, positioning it well for future investments in public safety infrastructure
• Youth engagement initiatives include a Youth Academy for high school students and a Next Gen program for young adults interested in civic leadership
• Widening Wilson M-11 remains a critical long-term goal to address safety concerns and traffic flow