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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2005

CONTACT: Raymond A. Beck
(573) 874-6338


PRESS COMMENTS BY RAYMOND A. BECK, CITY MANAGER

	I have notified the Mayor and City Council that it is my intent
to retire as City Manager of Columbia at, or shortly after, the end of
this calendar year.  The exact date will be determined with the Mayor
and City Council as they work through the replacement process.  
	After receiving an engineering degree and after completing a
tour of duty in the Army, I decided to dedicate my professional career
to public service.  I worked in State government a couple of years
before beginning work for the City of Columbia on February 1, 1960 as a
staff engineer in the Public Works Department.  From 1961 to 1985, I
served as Director of Public Works and since 1985 as City Manager.
During my service to the City,  I also was in the Active Army Reserves
as a Civil Affairs Officer, retiring in 1980 as a Lieutenant Colonel. 
	It has been a privilege to serve our City for over 45 years. 
Working in local government allowed me the opportunity to help make a
positive contribution to the total environment of our cityCand to the
personal lives of thousands of people, who live, work, recreate and
visit our Columbia. For this opportunity, I will always be grateful.
	As I think back on my many years of service, I am reminded that
our city has changed in significant ways.
	In 1960, the population of Columbia was 36,650 with a geographic
area of 10.5 square miles.   Today, Columbia=s population is about
91,000 with a geographic area of about 59 square miles, with a
population growth of between 1 and 2% a year.  
	In 1960, the University of Missouri was the major employer, and
other major employers included insurance companies and medical
facilities.  Today, while the university continues to be our largest
employer, Columbia has a more diversified employment base with many
large companies, such as 3-M, Columbia (Kraft) Foods, Square D, Quaker
Oats, auto related companies, and others. This strong business base
makes us a regional economic center providing employment from a
population base of about 350,000.    
	In 1960, there were very few restaurants, and nearly all
shopping occurred in the Central Business District.  Today, we have
major retail outlets throughout the City and continue to enjoy a strong,
vibrant Central Business District.   
	In 1960, there were very few parks and recreational
opportunities for Columbia residents. Today, we have an outstanding
parks and recreation system and programs available to all Columbia
residents and the surrounding area.  
	In 1960, we worked from a City Comprehensive Plan created in
1935.  We did a major update of that plan in the mid 1960=s and, since
that time, it=s been a priority of our city to keep our Comprehensive
Plan current.
	In 1960, infrastructure, such as streets, sewers, and storm
water management, was being constructed in a substandard manner. Working
with citizen committees, new standards were established and implemented
and those substandard facilities wereCand still areCbeing replaced. A
good example would be the over 80 miles of city streets that have been
reconstructed with the major portion of the cost being paid for by tax
bills to the abutting property owners.  		
	Also, miles of sanitary sewers have been rehabilitated, repaired
or replaced and about 200 small waste water discharge points removed
from our streams.  Water lines are upgraded, and today we have an
outstanding source and quality of drinking water from shallow wells in
the river bottom   with deep wells kept in reserve.   Beginning in 1968,
our City began pursuing better storm water management practices, with
floodplain management, followed by voter approval of a storm water
utility to support this ongoing storm water management program.      
	In 1960, there were areas of dilapidated housing and
deteriorating neighborhoods.      Recently, a top US Department of
Housing and Urban Development official commended the City on its housing
and neighborhoods, particularly around the Central Business District.  

	Throughout the years, it has been my goal to create a balanced
budget that provides for the needs of all community residents. That
budget and our AAnnual Programs and Priorities@ are major
responsibilities of the City Manager position.  
	When Columbia lost substantial federal funding used for social
service programs, our city continued funding these programs from local
finance resources.  In addition to our normal budget fund balance, our
city today retains a fund balance for transportation, public safety,
parks and recreation, and other public improvements.  
	In 1960, we were a City with about 350 employees.  Today, we
have 1168 full-time employees with a budget of about $277,000,000 for
what I term our Afull-service city at .  
	One of the major strengths of our city government is its
financial base.  The Council-appointed independent auditors and Finance
Advisory Committee both report our city is in a strong financial
position.  Our Auditors= management letter indicates no items for
correction.  
	During my career with the City of Columbia, I have always
emphasized the importance of both short- and long-range comprehensive
planning, and the development of a strategy for implementation. This
strategy is being followed for city development, and for each program
and service our city provides. Public policy is encouraged through
ordinances and resolutions to help assure understanding and uniform
guidance to those we serve.   
	I am personally thankful for all the great support I=ve received
from so many people over the years, and for the many things we
accomplished working together.    I want to especially thank the current
and past Mayors and Councilpersons, our professional City staff, Boards
and Commissions, Committees, and the many residents who answered the
call to make Columbia an award-winning city.  
	I think our recent City-wide survey demonstrates that Columbia
residents are very pleased with the services their City government
provides.
	On a more personal note, I want to thank my wife, Dee, who is
here with me today. She and I have adopted Columbia as our home and we
plan to retire here.  I want to especially thank Dee and our four
children, Mike A. Beck, Janice A. DeLong, Denise A. Rock, and Lisa A.
Paten, for the family support they have provided me throughout these 45
years, especially during times of substantial challenge.  
	After my retirement, I plan to spend more time with my wife,
four children and 13 grandchildren and other relatives and friends.   I
will be responsive to any request to serve our City; remain active as a
volunteer; spend more time at our farm; assist other cities if
requested; and write historical information about our CityCthat should
keep me busy. 
	During the months ahead as City Manager, I will continue to
focus on city priorities by working toward the preparation and adoption
of our next fiscal budget that becomes effective October 1.  Another
high priority will be working with the City Council for the passage of a
ballot issue for continued public improvements in our city.  
	I am pleased to be retiring from our City government with a
current Comprehensive Plan in place, the City in fiscally sound
condition, a great City staff and residents who step up as volunteers,
particularly to serve as Mayor, on the City Council, Boards and
Commissions and other special projects and programs.  I am also pleased
our City government operates as an open City government and one of
highest ethics.
	My highest priority between now and my retirement will be to
maintain and enhance city services, programs and projects that help make
Columbia, Missouri one of America=s top places to live, work, raise a
family and retire.

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