Good things are happening in Columbia and in city government, City Manager Mike Matthes said in his State-of-the-City message issued to the City Council last Friday. The community also faces significant challenges in the coming years.

"As we begin to prepare for the future, we can be fairly certain that our community will be larger and very possibly poorer," Matthes said, basing his conclusions on recent population and income trends. 

"However, we will meet that future with our eyes and hearts open, prepared for what may come, and working to make it better than it would have been without our efforts."

Columbia's Charter requires the city manager to submit an annual statement of policy recommendations for programs and priorities in advance of the City Council's spring retreat, scheduled June 8-9 at the Activities and Recreation Center, 1701 W. Ash Street.

Because Council members will be developing a strategic plan at their retreat, Matthes chose to focus on high-level trends rather than on individual issues. "We can't control very many of the external factors that make up our environment," Matthes said. "What we can do is acknowledge the facts that surround us and leverage our strengths to create the best possible outcomes for Columbia citizens."

The full text of the message is at www.GoColumbiaMo.com. Matthes is available for interviews between noon and 3 p.m. today.