The City of Margaret currently has a vacancy in the position of City Clerk. Before anything else is said about what comes next, I want to say thank you to Tabitha for the time she spent serving our city and helping keep City Hall moving forward. She stepped into an important role during a period…

A six-year review of audited revenue, spending and utility operations An annual audit is different from a budget. A budget is the City’s financial plan for the coming year. It estimates how much revenue the City expects to receive and authorizes how much may be spent. An audit looks backward. It reports what was actually…

Since taking office, I have tried to keep the City Council informed through regular Mayor’s Updates, financial reports, project summaries and supporting documents. I am combining those updates into one public document because I believe residents should be able to see what information has been provided, when it was provided and how the City’s financial…

Over the past few weeks, I’ve talked with quite a lot of folks about the upcoming school millage, and I wanted to take a few minutes to explain it the way I understand it. My hope is that everyone – whether you support it or oppose it – can make an informed decision based on…

Understanding the True Cost of Municipal Government One of the questions I was asked recently was: “How much do City employees cost?” That is a fair question, but it is also one that has to be answered carefully. City employees are not just numbers in a budget. They are the people who answer calls, respond…

Over the last several months, there has been a great deal of discussion surrounding Margaret Fire & Rescue, its operations and the future of public safety in our community. Unfortunately, much of that discussion has focused on politics and personalities rather than the facts. The reality is that Margaret Fire & Rescue has made significant…

One thing I have learned while reviewing years of City records is that Margaret’s financial story is actually a very positive one. From 2020 through 2025, the City experienced remarkable growth. Revenue increased, utility operations expanded, development continued and the City’s cash reserves grew to levels many municipalities would be proud of. The financial audits…

Over the last several months, there has been a lot said about Margaret. A lot of criticism.A lot of noise.A lot of focus on conflict. Thankfully, the City of Margaret understands that listening is often more important than speaking. Progress comes from listening carefully, identifying problems honestly and working toward practical solutions that move the…

It’s easy to focus on personalities. It’s harder, but more important, to focus on records, structure and how municipal government actually operates. Over the last several months, there has been a lot of discussion about city finances, transparency and administrative authority in the City of Margaret. As more records and historical information become available, I…

And Why the Structure Matters More Than the Politics Most people only see one piece of city government at a time. They see a police officer, a fire truck, a water bill, a road issue, a building permit, a council meeting, or a post online. But the City of Margaret is not one simple office.…