HAYDEN — The new mayor of Hayden foresees growth, collaboration, fiscal responsibility and excellent service to the citizens of his city in the year ahead.

"We expect a continuation of the strong leadership that Mayor McIntire and the City Council have provided,” Hayden Mayor Steve Griffitts said Saturday morning. "Many of our departments meet that high standard and we expect all to do so as we move forward in 2016."

Griffitts said no doubt more people will be moving into the area as well as expanding the town's business presence in the coming months.

"There should be more commercial growth," he said. "We have seen rapid residential growth and we hope that these people will find great opportunity in Hayden with respect to education, transportation and infrastructure and with respect to fiscal responsibility.

"Hayden should be the easiest and most efficient city to do business with. Our goal is to achieve that distinction. We need department leaders and staff to be efficient, knowledgeable and grateful for the opportunity to serve our constituents."

Regarding the class action lawsuit that the North Idaho Building Contractors Association filed against the City of Hayden over sewer capitalization fees, Griffitts said he was looking into it before he was sworn in as mayor as he feels a positive relationship between the association and the city is important.

"I have also asked our staff to realign as a partnership with NIBCA as we go forward because NIBCA represents so many great builders and companies that want to provide value to their clients and we want to be lockstep with them."

Griffitts said the city has received the lawsuit decision from the Idaho Supreme Court, which includes a formula for the city to follow to ensure proper methodology in obtaining numbers for the sewer cap rates. He said he has invited NIBCA to a workshop to discuss the options provided by the Supreme Court. The public is also welcome to attend the workshop, which will be held in the Hayden City Hall City Council Chambers at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

"We are working closely with NIBCA to reinforce that important partnership," Griffitts said.

Whether it's sewer cap fees or impact fees threatening to pose legal issues for the city of Hayden, which has the lowest tax base of all the area municipalities, Griffitts ensured the interest of the people will be kept top priority.

"We will look at the financial effects of these lawsuits, but we will continue to recognize that our responsibility is to fiscally serve our citizens, that is the most important focus that we have," he said. "But we must remain fiscally sound as a municipality in order to serve our citizens."

Serving others is a core value for Griffitts, who served as president of Jobs Plus for 12 years and is presently the vice president/commercial lender of Mountain West Bank. He said he feels his background with these companies, which have cultures steeped in customer service excellence, have helped prepare him for the task of mayor. No matter what 2016 brings, he's ready to meet the challenge head on.

"As mayor, my focus again will follow the blueprint of exceptional service," he said. "It’s important that I give all that I can to the city of Hayden."