Millersburg Residents for a Responsible Government

10/15/2018

FYI: commenting on this page is blocked.

05/09/2017

As of today this page will be SUSPENDED. Many of us came together over a year ago to fight against the City creation of an M.U.D. that obviously most did not want. We came together and held rallies, passed Measure 22-132 a City Borrowing Limitation Measure and eventually stopped the MUD project. There was Unity but that Unity is no longer. There are issues developing in Millersburg that are just as serious as the MUD was. A wish list of spending ideas and projects by the City that will cost millions. Our Budget is out of control, our current budget has nearly a $10.5 million dollar carryover of unused funds. The City is taxing and feeing you (YOUR money), not using that money, banking it and then taxing and feeing you all over again. This has been going on for years. Too many are losing sight of the fact that Millersburg is still just a small town of less than 1800 people. But, our budgeting and project list looks like that of a City 20 times our size. A few councilors have voiced the facts of a bloated and fat filled budget but will do nothing about it. Some councilors ran for office promising tax cuts or an elimination of taxes. Those promises fell on deaf ears or were broken. A few of us have taken your concerns and opinions to the City. We have been disrespected, beaten up and ignored. We can no longer do this for you. So, if you have concerns about City operations, concerns about spending, issues with the way your City is being operated... VOICE THEM ! Attend Council meetings, Planning Commission meetings and Budget meetings. Stand up ! Voice your concerns ! There is power in numbers but those numbers have not been there and a few can no longer fight these battles for you.

04/30/2017

The Public Budget Meeting for the City of Millersburg will be held on Wednesday May 3rd at 6:30pm at City Hall. Copies of the proposed budget can be obtained at City Hall.
Here are a few items of interest:
-The Proposed Budget total is over $15million dollars a 17.1%
increase over the current budget year.
-The beginning balance (carryover funds) is almost $10.5
million dollars. Last year it was over $9million dollars.
-Should the City be taking your money through tax and fee
collection, not using it, not paying down debt and just bank it ?
Or would it be better spent by you in your household ?

Heh, it's your money !

04/21/2017

Millersburg Citizens; Do you have a suggestion, safety hazard, concern, complaint, idea to save money, code violation or something else to notify the City about ? You can anonymously drop a note in the "Suggestion Box" at City Hall. It is the same box at the curb (stainless steel drop box) where you can drop your water/sewer bills. Be heard !

04/17/2017

MILLERSBURG PROPOSED BUDGET
The 2017-2018 Proposed Millersburg City Budget will be available on Monday 4-24-17 after 8am at City Hall.

The first Budget Hearing will be held on Wednesday May 3rd, 2017 at 6:30pm at City Hall. This is a public meeting allowing citizen comments. Voice your opinions !

04/05/2017

APRIL 2017 Meetings at City Hall:
Tuesday the 11th at 6:30pm City Council Meeting.
Tuesday the 18th at 6:00pm Planning Commission Meeting. Agendas are usually posted on the City web site. CityofMillersburg.org

03/23/2017

http://hh-today.com/council-backs-159m-school-bond/

No one argued about the issue or the amount of money involved Wednesday before the Albany City Council quickly and unanimously endorsed the school board's request for a $159 million bond issue that's on the ballot in May.

03/22/2017

Questions ??? If you don't ask questions or attend meetings, it is difficult to understand what is going on and where your tax dollars are being spent. Here are some things to ponder:

1. A Hospital project rumored for the land North of the Proposed Truck Stop, West of the I-5 off ramp. Executive Session, public release was called "the re-alignment of Morningstar Road". An agreement made between the Council, the County and (?) the Developer. Morningstar will be re-aligned to line up with one of the Love's driveways. It is suspected this is to help the Hospital with better access to that property. As suggested in a prior meeting; are City funds being used to purchase the land ? Develop the Street ? We just don't know. It was reported that the Hospital is a non-profit that will not be paying property taxes.

Did you Know;

2. Alexander Lane crosswalk approved. Estimated cost was $30,000.00 + $8,000.00 estimated engineering costs. Actual bid award was $65,000.00 + engineering costs.
3. The City is looking at our Fire Department Services and various options. All options will require rate increases, potential tax increases or a bond levy. The study/review continues.
4. The City's US Bank and LGIP Accounts total $12 million dollars.
5. The budgeted Engineer-CH2ML; Budgeted $100,000.00 is now overrun and approved to $250,000.00
6. Last years unused carryover funds were over $9 million dollars, it appears this year will be a repeat of last year ? Do we really then need the $700,000.00 in estimated property taxes ? Will new Council Members follow through with promises of cutting/eliminating property taxes ?
7. Even though we just hired a City Manager-Planner, there is talk of adding another Planner position. Will we adding to our Parks Department personnel ?
8. Are we really outgrowing our Main City Park as suggested ? We don't think so. The last meeting included discussions about a Community Center, Parks and Recs Plan, additional City parks, community parks and then a wish list of various sports complexes. Do you want to pay for these things ? Does a City of 1,800 people warrant this ? The facilities we have now rival cities twice our size.
9. Studies; (estimates) Water Master Plan $200,000.00 Storm Water - Wetlands Plan $180-190,000.00 Fire Department Inquiry close to $10,000.00
10. The Love's Truck Stop completion and opening is planned for October-November of this year,

The only way to understand is to listen and learn. Voice your opinions. Attend meetings. There are many other proposals and wish list items being pondered. The question, can your household afford it ?

03/17/2017

Some people have asked why Craig Z. resigned from the Budget Committee. Here is his letter:

TO: Millersburg; City Council, City Manager, Recorder
TOPIC: Resignation from Budget Committee
DATE: March 7th, 2017

I respectfully and immediately resign as a member of the Budget Committee.

I have been involved in Millersburg issues for four years. I have attended most City Council Meetings, some Planning Commission Meetings, served on the Strategic Planning Committee as well as last year on the Budget Committee. I consider myself to be fiscally conservative and one voice for the Citizens and Taxpayers of Millersburg.

It has been very apparent over these years that my opinions, ideas, suggestions or concerns have fallen on deaf ears. I feel ignored, disrespected and delegitimized. I refuse to become a "Borg" and have a "group think" attitude that is so apparent in this City's Government.

So few have been wiling to serve. The City needs new, fresh ideas AND ideas that are not always from the inside but from the outside. If you do not embrace another point of view... the day will come when others refuse to serve. But then maybe that is what you are after... control and Group Think.

Please, respect the fact that every dollar you spend, ever project overrun that you approve, every decision you make regarding spending... effects every household and taxpayer in town.

Thank you,
Craig Ziegenhagel

03/02/2017

March Meetings at City Hall: City Council Meeting on Tuesday March 14th, 2017 6:30pm, public comments permitted. Planning Commission Meeting on Tuesday March 21st, 2017 at 6:00pm.
Agendas for these meetings are posted on the City of Millersburg web site.

02/22/2017

02/22/2017

Are you pleased with the amount of your PROPERTY TAX BILL ? Many of us came to Millersburg with the idea that the taxes are low here, but are they ? When we get the bill, do we really care where all that hard earned money is distributed, probably not. After all, it is the total that you are required to pay ! Property values in Millersburg went up an average of 14% in 2016, that causes your taxes to go up too. A Sheriff's levy was passed a few years ago. We have been paying on a School levy for many years. In May, you will be voting on another school levy for $159 million dollars. The Jefferson Fire Dept is planning a construction levy, possibly later in 2017. There is a study currently being conducted in Millersburg that may lead to a change in Fire Department Services that could also lead to a tax increase. Are you keeping an eye on local spending ? Are you aware of where your hard earned money is being spent ? Do we have excessive spending and waste in local government ? And now this State Proposal SJR-3 along with the Governor's additional proposed taxing and continued spending. This IS YOUR MONEY... some in Government have totally forgot that. When was your last raise ? If you even got one, has it kept up with all the retail price increases, additional taxation and all your other bills ? How is your household budget doing ? We strongly suggest that you stay informed and get involved. When those levies and tax increase proposals come out....VOTE !

is expected Tuesday February 21st at 8:30 in the Senate Finance Committee in the Salem State Capitol. Homeowners are encouraged to testify against SJR 3–