By Natalie Zarowny
nzarowny@cbs4qc.com
It's been a good year for Moline, that's the word from Mayor Don Welvaert.
Monday he gave the state of the city address.
"We've had a lot of construction, a lot of economic development going on throughout the city, and we're very, very proud of that," said Mayor
One key issue the mayor addressed; improving pensions.
Mayor Welvaert said police and fire pensions continue to erode property taxes each year.
But he said for the first time in five years, the city started the year with a budget deficit less than a million dollars.
Mayor Welvaert leaves office in May, and will be replaced by Scott Raes
"We do a lot of long–term planning and we'll do another session in May and that keeps us focused and keeps us moving forward," said Scott Raes, the future mayor Moline.
Raes, a third ward alderman, was the only person who filed for the mayor's job. Raes said he's ready to make 2013 a success.
