Incoming Mayor Carrie Tergin will be sworn in Monday night and one of her first priorities is to reach out to area groups and entities to build and strengthen partnerships.
Tergin has specifically mentioned partnerships with Lincoln University, Cole County and the state, but what exactly could each of those groups bring to the table for Jefferson City? Also, what could Jefferson City offer to benefit each group?
Lincoln University
Tergin said a partnership with LU will allow the voice of the student population to be heard more clearly and possibly encourage more of the younger population to be engaged with the city. Tergin also has said she would like to create an LU student liaison to the City Council to help increase communication between the two groups.
LU also is a top employer in the city, she said, and a stronger partnership between the university and the city can help grow the educated workforce and help attract more businesses and people to the area. She noted this also applies to other schools in the city.
"That partnership has to be formed because people make their decisions on whether or not they want to move here, locate here or stay here based a lot on the quality of our schools," Tergin said.
LU President Kevin Rome said the university would be very excited about the creation of a student liaison position.
"We know that we are inextricably tied to the city," Rome said. "Anything we can do that better forges our relationship will benefit both the city and Lincoln University."
Rome said that position would allow for the city to possibly help with issues facing students or the university.
"Having a liaison gives our students a direct voice to the leadership of the city, and I think that only benefits them," Rome said.
When asked what Jefferson City could bring to the table to benefit LU, Rome said the university obviously is always looking for more resources. However, more than that, he said, the city and the university both would benefit from growth, noting the university is an economic engine for the community.
"Knowing the priorities of the city and the community helps us set our direction so that we make sure we're both going in the same direction," Rome said. "The more we communicate, the more we collaborate, the more likely it is for both of us to achieve our goals."
Cole County
Tergin said she would like to see the city's partnership with Cole County grow, including having members of the Cole County Commission attend council meetings to provide updates on county issues and having a council member do the same at commission meetings.
Tergin said the city and county already work well together on a number of projects within the city - currently, both are working on a project aimed at easing traffic congestion at U.S. 54 and Stadium Boulevard. However, she said, communication can always improve.
"I think the relationship between the city and the county is really good and getting better all the time," Tergin said.
Cole County Presiding Commissioner Sam Bushman agreed, saying the two groups already work together on many projects and issues, including purchasing salt and other chemicals.
"Jefferson City is part of Cole County. ... We're not really separate," Bushman said. "We're both working toward the same goals."
Also, by working together, Bushman said, they can save the taxpayers some money.
State government
Tergin said she really wants to further the city's partnership with the state, though that includes many departments and various elected officials.
"We are the state capital, and working together, I think there's a lot of ways that we can be stronger," Tergin said. "We have a lot of the same interests."
Tergin said because the state is the largest employer in the area, its employees are key to the city's growth and success. She said the city should be active in issues that affect state employees and the Capitol, as both have an effect on the city.
"There are just quite a few issues that are occurring that we either aren't as involved or aware of," Tergin said. "The city should say what can we do? What are our needs? And how can we partner together? I know the state would be receptive to that. I just haven't seen us reach out and ask those questions."
Tergin said the old Missouri State Penitentiary is a project that requires a state and city partnership, noting she believes it is a statewide asset that benefits more than just Jefferson City.
"That is not just a Jefferson City thing," Tergin said. "It's a revenue generator. If we do it right, it could create jobs, it could create a destination. It would bring people to our city and it's land that the state has that surely, if we work together and partner together, they would want to see that furthered because it's a benefit to the whole state."
When asked what the state would hope the city would bring to the table in a partnership, Ryan Burns, spokesperson for the Office of Administration, said: "As a significant employer in the area, it's important that Jefferson City remain a great place to live, work and do business. We look forward to continuing to work with the city and its leadership."