State of the City
The text of the Mayor’s 2025 State of the City address appears below the video of her presentation.
State of the City 2025
Mayor Peggy Lehner:
Named for visionary innovator Charles Kettering, our city was built by citizens who wanted to spark progress and ignite change. For nearly 71 years, that spirit of innovation has defined who we are and how we grow. We remain committed to that founding principle, continuously working to enhance the quality of life for our residents, support our thriving business community, and build a sustainable future for generations to come.
My name is Peggy Lehner and as Mayor of the City of Kettering, I am honored to serve alongside our dedicated City Council members: Vice Mayor Jacque Fisher, Bob Scott, Lisa Duvall, Jyl Hall, Bryan Suddith and Shane Sullivan. Together with our exceptional city staff, we work tirelessly to ensure Kettering remains a premier place to call home.
Our newly adopted Strategic Plan captures our vision and mission while embracing the spirit of Charles Kettering’s innovation to ignite a future filled with opportunity and promise. Through the Spark Kettering campaign, named for the self-starter invented by Mr. Kettering, we invited our community to join us in shaping a bold path forward. Your feedback provided a clear direction for Kettering’s future, one that emphasizes high-quality services, economic opportunity, engaged lifestyles, livability, sustainability, and sharing the unique Kettering story.
Let’s take a closer look at the state of our city in 2024 and find out what is on the horizon in 2025.
Matt Greeson:
Kettering’s spark of progress shines brightest when paired with strong fiscal stewardship and transparent governance. For the 42nd consecutive year, our Finance Department received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. Additionally, we earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 39th consecutive year and the Ohio Auditor of State Award with Distinction for our 2023 audit.
We’re also sparking innovation through modernization. This year, we successfully implemented a major upgrade to our Finance and Human Resource computer system. This enhancement improves efficiency and service delivery to both our employees and residents. Our commitment to technological advancement extends beyond internal operations. We have implemented an upgraded electronic filing module for city income tax returns, making it easier for residents to fulfill their civic responsibilities. This new system, available in early 2025, exemplifies how we continue to ignite progress through technology that directly benefits our community.
Our innovation isn’t limited to technology—it extends to our people. The Human Resource Department fuels engagement, recruitment, and retention by training, recognizing, and connecting employees. A new onboarding program has created greater collaboration across departments and deepened employees’ understanding of the services we provide, ensuring they are well-equipped to deliver value to our residents.
Our Information Technology Department has strengthened our computer systems and security processes, with plans to add a Cybersecurity Analyst in 2025 to further protect citizen and employee data. While we enhance digital security, we’re also improving physical accessibility across our facilities.
Thanks to funding from the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities, the Kettering Recreation Complex now features our first universal changing table. This specialized equipment provides a safe, dignified space for adults with disabilities, complex medical needs, and the elderly, ensuring that everyone can participate fully in community life.
From financial stewardship to technological advancements and enhanced accessibility, progress illuminates every corner of our city.
Councilmember Jyl Hall:
Kettering provides high quality government services that are sustainable, effective, innovative, collaborative and respectful.
Chip Protsman:
The Kettering Police Department continues to evolve and enhance our capabilities to serve and protect our community. In 2024, we implemented new body and in-car cameras, strengthening our commitment to transparency and accountability.
We’re proud to announce the creation of our new Intelligence Led Policing Unit, designed to combat crime and increase communication with the community. Our commitment to community engagement remains strong through programs like National Night Out, Citizen’s Police Academy and Shop with a Cop.
We were thrilled to welcome the newest member to our K-9 team, Blu. We hired nine Patrol Officers and one Dispatcher to ensure we uphold the highest standards of public safety.
Looking ahead to 2025, we are sparking new approaches that blend innovative policing with strong community partnerships. We’re enhancing officer training in de-escalation and mental health response while leveraging new technology to prevent crime and maintain the community’s trust. These initiatives will help maintain Kettering’s status as one of the region’s safest communities. Together, with our residents and partners, we’re building a brighter, more secure future for everyone.
Mitch Robbins:
The Kettering Fire Department continues to ignite excellence in emergency medical services and community safety. In 2024, we were honored to receive the American Heart Association’s Mission Lifeline EMS Gold with Target: Heart Attack Honor Roll achievement award, a testament to our dedication to delivering lifesaving care.
We’ve enhanced our capabilities with vital new equipment, including the E-One pumper Engine 37 and new Lifepak 35 Cardiac Monitors. These investments ensure we provide the highest quality emergency medical care to our residents.
We also celebrated our team’s exceptional service with four Life Saving Awards and two newborn delivery Stork Pins, recognizing our crews’ exceptional service in critical situations. Our members’ participation in regional and national emergency response teams reflects our broader commitment to safety beyond city borders. In 2024, we welcomed six new firefighter/paramedics and celebrated one member being named the 2023 EMS Provider of the Year by the Greater Montgomery County Fire Chiefs Association.
As we look to 2025, the Kettering Fire Department will enhance emergency response capabilities with new equipment, including two Road Rescue medic units with Stryker power-cots, Mobile Data Terminals across our fleet, and LUCAS Chest Compression Systems. We’ll also add a new E-One pumper Engine 36, featuring a 750-gallon tank with 2,000 gallons-per-minute pumping capacity, ensuring top-tier emergency response for our community.
These investments reflect our ongoing commitment to providing the highest level of emergency services to the Kettering community.
Councilmember Bryan Suddith:
Kettering fosters a healthy and diverse local economy that provides opportunities for employment, attracts new businesses, supports existing businesses and creates prosperity for the community.
Ky Gantt:
As your new Economic Development Manager, I’m thrilled to share the tremendous progress we’ve sparked in fostering economic growth right here in Kettering.
Our focus remains clear: creating an inclusive and dynamic business environment that empowers every entrepreneur and drives innovation throughout our community. This year, we celebrated significant milestones in the life sciences sector, including the expansion of the Dayton STEM School and Solvita, further strengthening our position as a hub for cutting-edge education and innovation.
Additionally, the redevelopment of the former Tenneco manufacturing site has positioned this area as a prime opportunity for future growth. We’ve also made remarkable progress along Wilmington Pike, where ongoing façade and demolition grants are sparking a wave of transformation and positioning Kettering for continued revitalization and redevelopment.
Looking ahead to 2025, we’re poised to build on this momentum with exciting opportunities for growth and expansion at the Miami Valley Research Park and Governor’s Place office park, which are both home to many great businesses. These vital areas remain a cornerstone of our efforts to ignite innovation and foster economic prosperity for our community while ensuring Kettering is a great place for businesses to call home.
Bryan Chodkowski:
As your new Assistant City Manager, I’m excited to share the strides we’ve made in planning, community development, and senior services.
In 2024, we celebrated a significant milestone—the 50th anniversary of our Community Development Block Grant program. We partnered with Dayton and Montgomery County to host an award-winning celebration at The Dayton Bike Yard at Welcome Park, showcasing the tangible impact of this federal grant program over the last half-century. Through initiatives like the Micro-Enterprise Program, we’ve demonstrated our steadfast commitment to supporting women- and minority-owned businesses, helping them thrive in our community.
Housing continues to be a cornerstone of our vision for Kettering. We secured a $250,000 grant to rehabilitate five owner-occupied homes, reaffirming our dedication to quality housing and homeownership. Residential development on Research and County Line Road is set to bring 264 market-rate housing units, while efforts are underway to bring new housing across from Gentile Park that will enhance our community’s livability and growth.
Looking ahead to 2025, we’re embarking on the creation of a new comprehensive land use plan to guide Kettering’s growth and development over the next decade. With the recently completed Strategic Plan as its foundation, this collaborative effort will engage residents, businesses, and stakeholders as we build our land use plan and zoning strategies to achieve the City’s vision for the future.
Our Senior Services continue to be a vital resource for our community. In 2024, our Senior Services Coordinator, Natalie Storms, assisted over 300 residents with 26 different types of services, conducted nearly 400 home visits to senior citizens, and handled almost 1,000 phone calls. Our weekly blood pressure clinics served 288 residents.
We’ve expanded our programs to include Medicare education, scam awareness seminars, and partnerships with local organizations to enhance services for our senior population. These efforts demonstrate our commitment to supporting our older residents and ensuring they have access to the resources they need.
In 2025, we plan to continually expand our senior services reach by partnering with community agencies and schools while engaging the community and utilizing our resource guide. These services directly impact Kettering and the residents we serve.
Vice Mayor Jacque Fisher:
Kettering is a vibrant and welcoming community for all people, through activities, creativity and opportunities to be engaged.
Bill Tschirhart:
As the new Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts, I’m deeply honored to serve my hometown and provide world-class amenities to the community I love. Kettering has always been more than just a place on the map to me and I am thrilled to return and play a direct role in enhancing the spaces where our residents live, play, and connect.
In 2024, we received three prestigious Awards of Excellence from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association, including First Place for our EcoFEST event, which drew 2,000 visitors and featured over 60 organizations. Impressive second place awards were earned for the TreeFest & Tree Love events, which combined conservation with community celebration, and the Gentile Nature Park project, which transformed 19 acres in north Kettering into an innovative recreational space.
The opening of Gentile Nature Park in June 2024 marked a historic moment for our community. This $2.48 million investment transformed 19 acres that was once owned by the federal government and part of the former Defensive Supply Center, into a vibrant space featuring dual 100-foot ziplines, nature-themed playgrounds, and significant environmental enhancements, including 250 new trees and thousands of native plants. The park’s bike path connection to the Dayton-Kettering Connector also strengthens our regional trail network, linking our community to the University of Dayton campus, Downtown Dayton and beyond. Over many years, our city has transformed this former federal military installation into the Kettering Business Park, the Kettering Municipal Court complex and now a beautiful park. Gentile Nature Park stands as a testament to our city’s dedication to redevelopment and re-use, enhancing quality of life and preserving green space for future generations.
The Lathrem Garden Project located near the Senior Center, funded by a generous donation from the Lathrem Family, was also completed in 2024. This renovation includes a new shelter with an outdoor fireplace, walking paths, and numerous amenities that became available for community reservations in early 2025.
The newly renovated Rosewood Arts Center has quickly become a cherished cultural treasure. Its state-of-the-art facilities and diverse programming bring people together, fostering creativity and a sense of connection that extends throughout Kettering and the surrounding areas.
In 2025, our Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts team will be on a collaborative journey, engaging residents, listening to their dreams and translating those insights into innovative, sustainable recreational spaces during our Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Master Plan project. I can’t wait to work alongside our residents to ensure our parks system is one that we’ll all be proud of for years to come.
Councilmember Lisa Duvall:
Kettering is a safe and livable community with a high quality of life, active transportation networks and housing options for all residents with opportunities for education, enrichment and engagement.
Steve Bergstresser:
Our infrastructure investments are more than construction – they’re about building bridges, literally and figuratively, that strengthen the connections within our community.
Our commitment to infrastructure improvement remains a top priority, with a special emphasis on enhancing connectivity throughout our community. In 2024, we completed several significant projects, including the East David Road Improvements from Far Hills to Ackerman, with a total investment of $1.5 million, supported by state and federal grants.
We recognize that connectivity is more than just roads – it’s about creating seamless pathways that bring our community together. The West Avenue Pedestrian Bridge installation has improved access to Gentile Nature Park, while our new bike path in the Miami Valley Research Park enhances connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians. By strategically developing these interconnected routes, we’re creating a more accessible and integrated community experience.
We’ve invested $2 million in our Curb, Sidewalk and Drive Approach Repair Program, ensuring our neighborhoods remain safe and accessible. Each project is carefully designed to not just repair infrastructure but to create meaningful connections between our neighborhoods, parks, business districts and community spaces.
In 2024, our Public Services Department demonstrated extraordinary efficiency and environmental stewardship with keeping our roadways clean and safe. We value these services to our residents and continue to celebrate the environmental impact the efforts achieve.
To keep our community safe, last winter, we applied 1,867 tons of salt, 5,789 gallons of beet heet and 31,608 gallons of brine.
This past fall, we collected 6,080 tons of leaves through 965 truckloads.
Our commitment to sustainability also shines through in our mulch and compost production. This past spring and summer 709 tons of yard waste was processed at our Yard Debris Center. 690 tons of mulch and 1,372 tons of compost were generated.
These efforts not only support our residents and the mulching needs of our parks system, but also demonstrate our commitment to environmental stewardship and high-quality service. In addition to these significant achievements, our public service department placed over 2,300 tons of asphalt in 2024, ensuring our roads remain in excellent condition.
Looking ahead to 2025, we have ambitious plans that continue our vision of a connected Kettering. The Dorothy Lane Resurfacing project, with a budget of $3.5 million and supported by a $1.8 million Federal grant, will not only improve road conditions but also enhance our community’s mobility. The Golf Club Estates Street & Drainage Improvements and Governor’s Place Improvements will further enhance our neighborhood infrastructure, creating more intuitive and accessible pathways for our residents.
Councilmember Shane Sullivan:
Kettering is a healthy, sustainable environment where decisions are made with an understanding of how they will affect the environment, people and communities today and in the future.
Dawn Kirchner:
As Kettering’s first Sustainability Manager, I am excited about the opportunities that 2025 holds. In 2024, we made tremendous progress toward a more sustainable future, starting with our partnership with Power a Clean Future Ohio to develop our first Greenhouse Gas Inventory. This is an important step in understanding and reducing our environmental impact.
We also partnered with Montgomery County to expand our Shred Day event, adding Styrofoam and electronics recycling to the efforts. Despite the challenges posed by a hurricane in the area, our recycling initiatives still made a significant positive impact on the environment.
Additionally, we received a $119,000 award from the Department of Energy to support the creation of a comprehensive citywide sustainability plan in 2025. The rejuvenation of the internal and external sustainability committees has brought some of the most creative and passionate people to the table to talk about plans and actions to make a genuine impact.
Councilmember Bob Scott:
We are telling the Kettering Story, through an intentional and coordinated communication strategy, sharing Kettering’s many assets to a broad audience consisting of existing and potential residents, businesses, employees, visitors and decision makers.
Lindsey Curry:
As your newly promoted Volunteer Administrator, I am proud to see our volunteer program continuing to be the heart of Kettering’s community spirit. In 2024, we welcomed 132 new volunteers, resulting in an impressive 59% increase in volunteer hours compared to 2023. These dedicated individuals support everything from youth sports to senior services, truly embodying our city’s reputation as the City of Volunteers.
Looking ahead to 2025, our Volunteer Department has partnered with the Communications and Engagement Division to expand our reach and share how you can be part of the Kettering Story. We are excited to provide even more volunteer opportunities and continue offering invaluable support to both our employees and the broader community.
Mayor Peggy Lehner:
As we look to the future, we remain committed to making Kettering an exceptional and welcoming place where every resident belongs. Our achievements in 2024 reflect our community’s collaborative spirit and celebrate the diverse perspectives that enrich our city.
We continue investing in infrastructure, supporting businesses, enhancing parks and recreational facilities, and ensuring everyone’s safety and well-being. Through careful financial management and strategic planning, we’re building an inclusive, sustainable future for all.
Thank you for the privilege of serving as your Mayor. Together, with City Council and our outstanding staff, we remain dedicated to making Kettering a vibrant, diverse community we’re all proud to call home.
May you and your families prosper in 2025, and God bless!
The archive of the video from 2024 State of the City presentation is below: