Shafter CA

9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 9 SHAF TER , CAL I F. This is all commensurate with the community’s projected growth. The population could be as high as 30,000 by 2030, as Meadows reveals. In addition, because of the City’s fiscal responsibility and rock-solid stability, it happily possessed a whopping $25 million in unassigned reserves. That also means Shafter will be able to put its best collective foot forward and concentrate on getting more business- related properties shovel ready. It all ties in with the City’s capital improvements plan. This will make Shafter a hub of new activity. A new hotel is among the plans. The new Starbucks came online a year ago. Growth and expansion will also come in the logistics and retail sectors, only adding to the City’s healthy tax base and its already swelling coffers. All of this will serve to invest in the city and only make Shafter even better than it already is, as Meadows points out. “People really like to tell you stories about their connection to Shafter, and they’re all good,” he says. “People like this city.” Returning to the topic of capital improvements, he cites a budget for this almost $70 million to be spent in the next five years. This will include the installation of roundabouts at troublesome intersections and a new rail- related project to improve the transportation of goods to and from Shafter. The City itself owns more than five miles of railroad tracks. Meadows points out that Shafter is the heart of California. That’s not just hyperbole or metaphor, he adds it’s simply geographically correct. That centrality not only helps facilitate the transportation of goods along the Golden State’s roadways and to its many ports, but it also helps to create more jobs. Meadows credits his fellow City of Shafter staffers for their efforts as well. One of them is the critical position of community engagement manager. Rachel Zermeno, who he commends highly for excellent work in this new job. “She specifically uses our social media and becomes our touchpoint for the public,” Meadows informs, adding that Zermeno also connects the City’s other department heads and facilitates that all-important greater communication. Meadows emphasized that Shafter’s ongoing success is the result of the committed team of city staffers. “Public Works folks are the daily heroes keeping Shafter clean, fixing roads and making improvements, and the Police Department proactively manages our daily safety.” In addition, he says “it takes a lot of work to keep a city running, as well as strong leadership.” With sound finances, a safe environment, and an involved community, Shafter is poised for economic growth surpassing even its impressive history. Meadows mentions, “you might want to keep your eye on Shafter.”