ARDMORE, OK - Ardmore held its 33rd Annual State of the City luncheon Wednesday as business and city leaders came together to discuss improvement and future projects for the city. Claudia de la Pena has more on what's in store for Ardmore.

City manager J.D. Spohn says a big project is in the works in Ardmore

"We are going to put a new parallel water line across the Washita River," Spohn says.

That's just one of the projects in store as Ardmore looks ahead into the next year. The project, worth anywhere between $3 to 5 million dollars, could start early next year and provide the city with a reserve water source.

"That is one of our main sources of water, comes across the Washita River from the Arbuckle Lake. That's our major source of water, so we definitely need to get that done," says Ardmore mayor John Moore.

Water-related projects seem to top the list of plans for the city. Mayor John Moore talked about the new $2 million water tank under construction, as well as plans for a waste water treatment plant.

But water wasn't the only item on the table at Wednesday's state of the city.

"We are doing great concerning the financial problems that are facing all the cities," Moore says.

While Mayor Moore says the city is doing great, city manager J.D. Spohn says sales tax revenues were down nine percent. Fourteen open city positions were not filled, including deputy police chief and deputy fire chief.

"We hope the economy improves, but so far we analyze every month about the trends, where we are, and what we might need to do to correct any financial issues," Spohn says.

Spohn says leaders are also looking forward to the future and what needs to be done to ensure continued success.

"Our main focus is to make sure we are financially strong, that we offer a good quality to our citizens in the most efficient and effective manner that we can."

In addition to water and the state of the city economy, Spohn says they are also working on a way to improve the city's streets.