2022 Fruita State of the City Video

Thank you for watching the City of Fruita's 2022 State of the City Video! For this year, we wanted to showcase the results of the 2021 community survey and how the City of Fruita utilizes community input to improve the quality of life here in Fruita. From current projects to future projects, the feedback the city receives from the community is a guiding principle in everything we do. We would like to thank the community for being involved in the community and engaging in local government. The 2022 State of the City video as well as other City of Fruita videos can be found at Fruita.TV.

At the links below, you can find where to receive more information on your local government, as well as additional information on the stories highlighted in the video.  

2022 State of the City Stories – Top Priorities from the 2021 Community Survey 

In 2021, Fruita residents participated in a community survey that helps the city set goals for the future. Residents assessed the overall quality of life in Fruita and city services. Overall, the survey results were positive with 93% of residents rating the quality of life in Fruita as excellent or good. However, five priorities emerged from the survey results including housing, broadband, communication, traffic flow, and quality of life. A detailed report of the 2021 Community Survey can be found here. 

Housing 

Based on the results from the 2021 Community Survey, Fruita residents are concerned about rising housing prices and would like to see more affordable and equitable housing options in Fruita. Planning and Development Director Dan Caris talks about how the city of Fruita is helping to address these issues. In 2021, the city updated Fruita’s land use code to create a more diverse set of housing options. Currently, Fruita is comprised of 80% single-family detached homes. Having only one type of housing doesn’t support the employment base Fruita needs. The City of Fruita is working on long-term housing strategies that can be worked on for decades to come. To learn more about Fruita’s land use and other planning and development projects, please click here.  

Broadband 

Assistant to the City Manager Shannon Vassen, talks about the current Middle Mile Broadband Project the city is working on. Based on the community survey results, residents are satisfied with the internet in Fruita but would like to see more providers in the area to help with speed and redundancy. During the pandemic, the nation saw just how important reliable internet is for healthcare, working from home, and education. The City of Fruita was awarded a $364,000 grant from the Department of Local Affairs to help fund the project. Working with Region 10, a non-profit that works on broadband projects on Colorado’s Western Slope, the City of Fruita will install fiberoptic cables from Grand Junction to Fruita to bring Giga bite speeds to Fruita residents. Once the Middle Mile Project is complete, more internet providers can come to Fruita as the infrastructure will be available to support their operations. 

Communications 

The City of Fruita received an overall satisfactory rating for communications but the results showed the overall effectiveness of communications could be improved. Communications and Engagement Specialist Ciara DePinto talks about how this new communications position is a direct result of the survey. Working with all departments in the city, the new position is a resource to help tell the story of the city and provide city information to residents. The city is working on implementing new communication strategies and channels including updating the city website, expanding social media outlets, while also retaining traditional communication efforts like the Friday Weekly Update and City Link mailer. To learn more about city communications, please click here.  

Traffic Flow & Congestion, and Overall Quality of City Streets  

The Fruita community would like to see improvements to the overall quality of streets and the overall flow of traffic. Some issues that came from the community survey include confusion at the roundabouts, and congestion at City Market and near the schools. City Engineer Sam Atkins talks about how the city is incorporating this feedback into future plans. The City of Fruita finalized the Circulation Plan in 2021 that outlines priorities related to Fruita’s transportation goals. Top priorities the city is currently working towards includes intersection improvements and creating a corridor at Freemont Street to help alleviate traffic congestion. Other projects include upgrading the bridges on Mesa Street, Maple Street, and Pine Street. To view current city projects, please click here.  

Quality of Life 

Fruita resident Cilia Kohn talks about why her family chose to move to Fruita. Fruita’s small-town feel and feeling of safety are the main reasons Cilia’s family decided to call Fruita home. Through casual conversations and community engagement, the city saw a pattern emerge on what the top priorities are for Fruita residents. The City of Fruita recognizes how important it is to residents to keep Fruita’s small-town feel, family friendly atmosphere, and safety. These community values are factored into every project and service the City of Fruita provides.  

Where To Find Additional Information & How to Get Involved 

Interested in learning more and getting more involved? Below are several links to find more information about these stories and also current news throughout the city that enables residents to be in the know on a regular basis. If you can't find what you are looking for, please feel free to email communications@fruita.org.  

Weekly Information Updates 

Each week, the City Manager and Department Directors write a summary to the City Council and the public highlighting a few of the activities or projects that were worked on. The most recent Weekly Information Update can be found here, while past updates can be found by clicking here.    

City's 10-Year + Comprehensive Plan, "Fruita in Motion" 

 During the year 2019, the City provided nearly 40 ways for residents to actively engage and participate in defining the community's values and vision, and establishing goals and priorities, which resulted in City Council adopting Fruita in Motion in February of 2020. Over 4,000 residents participated in surveys, open houses at City facilities, schools, churches and local organizations, stakeholder group meetings, online and in-person engagement activities, with much media coverage, community organization's support, social media and web-based notifications, multiple newsletters to each residence and public meetings. A working committee of residents worked with a hired consulting firm (funded partially with a grant) to make head community feedback and make recommendations to staff and City Council To view the story map and plan, click here. Since the adoption of the plan, City staff, consultants, working committees, Boards and Commissions have been working on updates to master plans: Fruita Land Use Code; Parks, Health, Recreation, Open Space and Trails; and Multi-Modal Transportation Circulation plans.    

City of Fruita Annual Budget 

The annual budget is the financial plan each year for the City of Fruita. It provides for core services such as public safety, public works, parks and recreation, community development and planning, capital improvements, and more. It also identifies the goals for the year while highlighting previous accomplishments. The 2022 Fruita Budget, as well as previous budgets, can be found here. Summaries, detail and a transmittal letter from the City Manager highlighting accomplishments of the previous year and upcoming year efforts and projects is also included.  

Monthly Financial Reports 

Each month, a Monthly Financial Report is approved which includes information on sales and use tax revenues, budget vs. actual revenue, expense information, and more.  Monthly Financial Reports are available by clicking here. We receive updated figures two months after they are incurred. A highlight is viewing the Fruita City sales tax revenue collected, which represents the health of the local economy and is the largest form of revenue the City uses for core service delivery to residents. Since 2017, each year has been the new record highest grossing year by double digit percentage increases. 

Find the City of Fruita on Social Media 

Facebook 

Instagram 

Nextdoor 

Youtube 

City Manager and City Council Event Series  

Also, each month, the City Manager and City Council hosts open, casual events around the City to hear from residents and discuss the issues on their minds. These include bike rides, hikes, walks and sit downs at Fruita businesses. Upcoming events can be found here.   

Fruita City Council  

The City Council makes policy decisions and enacts legislation to carry out the council polices and administers the city government.  The Fruita City Council conducts regular meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month, and often holds a workshop on the 4th Tuesday of each month. More information on the Fruita City Council, including agendas, meeting packets (with details on each agenda item, minutes of past meetings and access to videos of meetings can be found here.    

Boards and Commissions  

Boards and Commissions play an important role in the City of Fruita, as they recommend policies to the City Council and staff.  To learn more about the City's Boards and Commissions, as well as to see current vacancies and how to apply to serve on a board or commission, you can click here.  

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