In this day of so much doom and gloom about cutbacks in government budgets and services, for the city of Roseville everything appears to be coming up roses.

According to the annual State of the City address by Mayor Jim Gray held last week at the Roseville Theatre, Roseville will be coming up with not only hundreds of thousands of roses, but also poppies, lupine, seeds and sticks as it prepares to decorate the city’s entry to the 2009 Tournament of Roses parade held in Pasadena Jan. 1.

Gray presented the float design to an audience of approximately 400 business, government and community leaders, following his city address.

“The state of the city is strong,” Gray said. “And it’s getting stronger. We’re looking forward to a bright future.”

Gray touted the balanced budget the city has prepared for the 2009 fiscal year and told audience members that city expenditures would be reduced if necessary as the year progresses if economic conditions warranted any change.

Gray said he was proud of the capital improvements the city has accomplished this past year including the opening of the city’s power plant, the Martha Riley Community Library and the Utility Exploration Center

“We’ve also been involved with a $13 million upgrade to Roseville’s Old Town neighborhood, we’ve added more mileage to our bike trails and just dedicated our 58th park,” he said. “Not bad for a city in its 99th year.”

Gray commended the service provided to residents by the Roseville fire and police departments, citing a decline in robbery and motor vehicle thefts in the past year.

“In addition, violent crimes have declined even as our population has increased,” he said.

As for the city’s economy, Gray said Roseville is ranked as one of the top 20 cities in terms of job growth.

“We will continue to attract people who want to live and work here,” he said. “”Our economy is strong and our future is bright.”

With the Kaiser Permanente and Sutter hospital expansions as well as retail improvements of the Galleria and the recent opening of the retail center Fountains, Gray is optimistic Roseville will continue to be a destination for work and play.

As for future plans: roadway improvements, a new aquatic center and 1,000 more oak trees are just a few of the projects on the horizon for the city according to Gray.

This year’s annual address also included the introduction of several Rose Parade officials who came to town to assist with the unveiling of the float design.

Tournament of Roses President Ronald “Corky,” Conzonire told the crowd he felt privileged to come to Roseville for the float design presentation.

“I know Roseville is special. The community support is fantastic,” Conzonire said. “I have enjoyed being here today and if I was to start over I think I’d come to Roseville.”

Float entries committee chairman Robert Miller spoke of the competition Roseville faced in its effort to gain entry to the 2009 parade.

“The process is competitive,” Miller said. “There were 39 applicants for 10 positions.”

Roseville’s 55-foot-long float entry, “Entertaining dreams for a century,” will showcase the city’s history and include a depiction of a 1909 locomotive engine along with oak trees, creeks, wildlife and Indian petroglyphs.

Volunteers are needed to help decorate the float in Pasadena. To find out more contact the city manager’s office at 746-1350. To learn more about the Rose Parade float and the city of Roseville’s centennial events, go to www.roseville.ca.us/100.