MILL CREEK — The public’s last significant chance to weigh in on a plan that will shape the future of the city is taking place Wednesday.
The plan is a road map for Mill Creek that covers development, public services, infrastructure, employment and city finances.
Find the complete draft of the plan online at www.millcreek-plan.org.
City officials say the 179-page plan is almost finished and the City Council should approve it in April.
So far, most people in Mill Creek are telling their leaders they value the community’s character and they don’t want city leaders to cut services — even though the city is currently spending more money than it’s bringing in, said Mayor Mike Todd.
The city is drawing the extra money it needs from a well-padded reserve fund that is five times larger than what’s called for in city policy.
The plan calls for the city to increase revenues, rather than make cuts, before its reserve fund is depleted in 2018.
The final draft deals with the city’s finances, but the City Council decided not to sacrifice the city’s long-term goals for short-term solutions, he said.
“These are tough financial times but this is a long-term plan and we need to focus on where we want to be in 10 or 20 years,” Todd said.
The city wants to build on what it’s already known for: Mill Creek is a pleasant place to live with a strong business core.
The top goal in the plan is maintaining Mill Creek’s community character by ensuring high-standards for new development and making sure the city is walkable.
Its next two goals are keeping public facilities, such as roads, well-maintained, and providing public services, particularly parks and police.
The final goals are stabilizing city finances, improving economic opportunities and ensuring new growth and development is high quality.
The city scheduled an open house and workshop on its strategic plan beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall, 15728 Main St.
The first hour will be a time to drop-in and ask questions. At 6:30 p.m. organizers plan a presentation and the public should have an opportunity to provide city staff and elected leaders with on-the-record comments.
Reporter Debra Smith: 425-339-3197 or dsmith@heraldnet.com
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