Senior Vice President John Papalia said Warren Worx is currently working on a logo to help launch the Warren County Brand which includes a marketing toolkit that will be sent to businesses and municipalities.

“Something (that we are) really looking at long term, continuing to strengthen a relationship with the city, the county and all of our business partners, community partners, some other key areas of focus,” Papalia said of Warren Worx’s marketing plan.

Other areas that Papalia spoke about were community revitalization, quality of life,and business development. He added that it is important that teams are established to help the organization.

“We think it’s really important that we help establish proper teams throughout the county. It’s great The city has the task force here,” Papalia noted.

Times Observer photo by Michael Zabrodsky From left Warren Mayor David Wortman and City Manager Michael Holtz conduct city business Monday.

In Youngsville, there is a revitalization team, and there is a revitalization team meeting planned for Sheffield.

“If the team is not there, let’s help build it. That’s what we’re doing with the next steps in Sheffield, and then working to help develop plans in each of those areas and then drive those plans home,” Papalia said.

Papalia added that Warren Worx is also working with the Warren County School District to help get students into the workforce. In the works, Papalia added, is the planning of a Career Day for next school year.

“And so far, we have good participation from the business community, and we’ve created a list of eligible students that can go out and co-op and are trying to help make those connections between eligible students and the workforce to get them out there,” Papalia said.

Mayor David Wortman said he has seen a groundswell of support from not only the city, but from Sheffield and Youngsville as well.

“So certainly, the Warren Worx organization, in my mind, has been a radically innovative organization that is bringing, obviously, together the local municipal governments, the philanthropic organizations, and the business communities,” Wortman noted.

Danielle Flasher, council vice president, asked Papalia if Warren Worx was reaching out to neighboring school districts as well.

Papalia said the plan for Warren Worx is to reach out to Bradford, Corry and Jamestown (N.Y.) School Districts to highlight some employment opportunities and careers in Warren.

In other business, council has approved Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. for the public hearing on the proposed 2025 Municipal Budget.

The $10,569,375 spending plan sees an increase of $737,218 from 2024. The fire department draws the most from the proposed budget at $3,020,473, followed by the public works department at $2,809,685, and finally the police department at $2,062675.

On the revenue side $7,043,00 is projected tax revenue while intergovernmental revenue is projected at $845,578. The “licenses and permits” category is projected at $325,160. To balance the budget, $562,477 in fund balance is utilized.

Also, the proposed budget includes $8,417,000 in capital improvements, $3,072, 366 in sewer fund operations, and $536,502 in parking fund operations. Projected parking fund revenues are garage permits at $100,000; parking meters at $105,000; and Midtown Lot fees at $90,000.

According to Finance Officer Jessica Byler, a copy of the proposed 2025 budget is available to view at www.cityofwarrenpa.gov/budget.