Sharon Mayor Bob Lucas says the city needs “a major change in direction” to escape financial woes that have been building over the last three decades.

In a “state of the city” report issued Wednesday Lucas detailed his vision for future change and changes he has already made. It includes bringing in outside experts to help run the city, selling off the city’s sewers, cooperating with other towns, cost cutting and other proposals.

Lucas’ report focuses on recommendations made in an Evans and Associates state grant-funded Early Intervention Program report and he says he will update the community on each issue in July. The statement mentions about $750,000 in savings, according to Lucas.

The Evans’ report and the election of a Home Rule Study Commission in Sharon have received “substantial attention,” Lucas said in his statement.

“This attention to the City’s financial condition, its management performance and its governmental structure is badly needed,” Lucas said. “Sharon … has experienced significant economic decline during the last thirty years and needs a major change in direction.”

In issuing the report, Lucas said he wanted to share his perspective with people in Sharon and the Shenango Valley.

“While it took the City of Sharon many years to decline to its current position, it must quickly seek a change in its direction to achieve the benefits its residents demand and deserve,” Lucas wrote.

Lucas addresses 12 areas mentioned in the Early Intervention Report, including bringing in outside experts to help run the city more effectively. Lucas said he has “continually sought professional advice on an informal basis” since taking office.

One way he wants to make that more official is to hire a chief financial officer with the ability to do cost analysis. The position could be contracted, part-time or volunteer, Lucas said, but it would provide another set of eyes on the city’s finances. He said he will propose it to council and will have to see what the city can afford.

Lucas said he wants to appoint an advisory board of about five private citizens to assist him by the end of March. Lucas said he’d be looking for people from Sharon, but he wouldn’t limit himself geographically.

First on his list, Lucas says, is recommending by the end of January that council sell the sewage collection system to Aqua Pennsylvania. The city’s been negotiating with the company for months and there is also a proposal to lease the plant, which needs a $32 million upgrade to meet Environmental Protection Agency standards, to Aqua for 10 years.

Lucas said he expects “several cooperative efforts” with adjoining municipalities to be in place by the end of June. He is discussing sharing services in safety, infrastructure and administration, though he declined to say which communities he has talked to or about what.

“All city operations are open to discussion and proposals for improvement,” Lucas said in his report.

He lists cost-cutting measures made during the year he has been in office, including savings of $110,000 through cutting three jobs.