Mansfield Mayor Perry highlights her first year in State of the City address

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07-05-2025

The city of Mansfield is strengthening, according to Mayor Jodie Perry.
Now in her second year, Perry delivered her State of the City address Thursday night by livestream. She wanted a larger audience to be able to hear the address.
"We are a city on the cusp of great opportunity," Perry said. "We are a city seeing the first fruits of major changes that will strengthen us even more. While it is true that we have many challenges yet to face, my first 15 months as mayor has confirmed to me that there is great reason for optimism as we look at our collective future."
The mayor called growth the first priority.
Jodie Perry reflected on her first six months in office as the mayor of Mansfield for a previous News Journal story.
"We cannot just count on the success of the past because eventually that will start to tarnish, and we will be left with gaps," she said. "We need new businesses creating jobs and new residents moving to town to continue our forward motion."
Perry pointed out that the city is now partnering with Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development to serve as the chief ambassador for growth.
Mayor highlights economic development
She highlighted a few examples of growth, including a new manufacturing location for Adena-NCF. The investment will add 10 jobs and millions of capital expansion dollars.
Eaglemark 4 opened a new location in the old foundry property, expanding to more than 80 employees and investing significant money.
Adena Development will begin constructing a second manufacturing building at Airport West this year.
"Why is this important? Businesses looking to relocate often base their decisions on three factors: speed to market, lowest risk and lowest investment cost," Perry said. "Having a building that is 90% ready to go will positively impact all of those factors."
The mayor also referenced activity at Westbrook Country Club and Lahm Regional Airport. The Niss family is involved in both projects, which will include "The Sky Club" restaurant at the airport. Building will begin this summer.
Housing inspectors issued 2,432 code violations across the city and ordered mowing on 335 properties. City crews also completed 224 cleanup and board-up orders on blighted properties.
"We will soon be introducing legislation for a property maintenance code, which will give us greater options to enforce better property management to help protect your investment as homeowners and taxpayers," Perry said.
Community development started the design and engineering work for phases 2 and 3 of the West End Target Area along Glessner Avenue.
Jodie Perry
"This project is revitalizing a strategic corridor leading to the county's largest employer, OhioHealth Hospital," Perry said.
In news involving city departments, the water treatment plant is in the final stages of a massive, multi-year rehabilitation project, providing updates to a vital service.
The utility collections department took steps forward in 2024. Residents now see itemized charges on their bills. The city also transitioned to measuring in gallons. Both were longtime goals.
"Soon, we will have a new customer portal available so that you can look at your water usage in real time," Perry said.
Parks continue to be priority for Perry
Parks are another focus under the mayor. They were closed for eight years during fiscal emergency, but are making a comeback.
The city completed 88 projects in 12 of the city's 22 parks in 2024. A grand opening will be held in May for Sterkel Community Park for All.
"The large majority of the work was completed throughout 2024," Perry noted. "If you have not had a chance to visit this park yet, you will be blown away by the extensive investment that has been made."
Perry said public safety is another top priority. The police department saw changes last year, with Chief Keith Porch retiring to become safety-service director. Jason Bammann was sworn in as the new chief in March, followed by Assistant Chief Mike Napier in April.
"I'm pleased to report that Part I crimes, the most serious ones, saw an overall decline of 20%," Perry said, adding the detective bureau was able to solve a 40-year-old cold case.
The fire department saw the retirements of six members, the addition of five firefighters and nine promotions. Chief Dan Crow also created the department's first strategic plan, along with a new mission, vision and core values.
Perry's other top priority is infrastructure.
"It is the thing you never think about when it works right, but you notice right away when it is broken," she said.
Mansfield is getting a major upgrade to its local bike/walk trail system. Workers completed the first phase, a tunnel connecting the Cook/Trimble trail under the four-lane roadway last year.
This year, they will add a connecting piece from the tunnel to the B&O Bike Trail, as well as along Millsboro Road from Trimble Road to Marion Avenue.
More: Trees cut down on Millsboro Road to expand Richland B&O Trail
Next month will see the first significant replacements of water mains in decades, thanks to voters approving a 0.25% income tax for the project.
The Main Street Improvement Project has gotten underway after six years of planning. The $19.5 million project will convert Main Street to two-way traffic and upgrade the city's streetscape.
One of the areas Perry said she has worked hard to improve is communication, especially through social media. The City of Mansfield Facebook page, on which people can watch Perry's State of the City address, has grown to more than 6,000 followers.
The mayor also thanked the city's 465 employees, including department heads and her administration. Porch and Public Works Director Louis Andres have more than 70 years of public service between them.
"I have talked a lot about the idea of 'Team Mansfield.' What do I mean by this? In this day and age, Mansfield is not just competing locally, regionally or even nationally," Perry said. "We are competing on a global stage for development and growth. Team Mansfield is the idea that we all have a role to play to make our community successful."
Perry moved to Mansfield 11 years ago to run the local chamber, calling it her adopted hometown.
"I am so humbled and honored to serve as your mayor, and I look forward to all that we will be able to accomplish together throughout 2025," she said. "The state of our city is strengthening each and every day."
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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mayor Perry reviews 1st year in State of City address