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Letter from the Mayor: Service that shapes our city

By MariJane Lopez-Taff–

Your City Council sets three-year goals for Citrus Heights, then identifies annual objectives to move those goals forward. This helps us stay focused on what matters, making progress residents can see. It also gives our community many ways to take part.

Our two recent Citrus Nights events are one example. They grew from an objective to create more opportunities for community vibrancy and engagement. At Van Maren Park, families enjoyed live music, food trucks and lawn games while neighbors connected. City staff and
volunteers made the evenings possible, with the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce and local sponsors lending their support.

Another recent annual objective was to explore partnerships for a permanent Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Citrus Heights. The 2023 visit of The Wall That Heals inspired community members to form the Citrus Heights Veterans Memorial Project. The volunteer led nonprofit is now working with partners and raising support for a lasting place of
remembrance at Calvary Cemetery.

Residents help shape this work from the beginning, too. When you attend a meeting, answer a survey or share an idea, you help Council understand what matters to our community and decide where to focus our efforts. Residents also contribute to community vibrancy by using the See Click Fix reporting app communicating items that need attention by your local government.

These are just a few of Council’s annual objectives across infrastructure, public safety, economic development, financial stewardship and community vibrancy. Resident engagement helps us set the right priorities, and volunteers and community partners help
us carry them forward. Thank you to everyone who gives their time, shares an idea or lends their support. You are an important part of our progress.

I hope you’ll join me at the State of the City on November 5 to hear more about the results of this planning, celebrate our 2026 accomplishments and look ahead together.

*Please note that this is not City-produced or City-sponsored material, but rather correspondence directly from the Mayor.

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