The Mill Creek City Council took steps to address a potential $1.7 million deficit in the City’s 2013-2014 budget during an all-day Legislative Retreat on Saturday, May 12th. The councilmembers directed City staff to plan for a mix of spending cuts, tax increases and use of general fund reserves to reduce the budget deficit. The City's Finance Director, Landy Manuel, and City staff will continue to work on the 2013-2014 budget during the rest of the year. Although budget discussions will continue, the Mill Creek City Council won’t formally vote on the final budget until late in the year.

Acting City Manager, Tom Gathmann, set the stage for the Legislative Retreat by saying, “We all know there is a structural deficit issue with the budget. If we keep on the same plan we have right now, the ship runs aground in the future, because our expenses are exceeding our revenue… We want to deal with that structural deficit. We really need guidance, just as much, on putting together the 2013-2014 biennial budget. There are going to be some tough decisions to make.”

For the last four years, U.S.News Education has ranked the nation’s high schools, using state test scores and statistical predictions of 1) how well students at each school “should” be doing, based upon their socioeconomic student populations, 2) how well black and Hispanic students are doing and 3) how well-prepared students are for college.

Two of Everett Public Schools high schools were among U.S.News Education medal winners for the first time this year. This year’s awards are based upon the most recently available national data – that from school year 2009-10.

Jackson High School met the first two criteria, has a 26.5 AP ranking (well above the 16.3 requirement) AND was among the nation’s top 500 AP ranking schools. Thus, JHS is considered number 1,285 in the nation, according to U.S.News and stands in spot number 34 in Washington state.

During the May 8^th City Council Meeting, the Mill Creek City Council voted 4-1-1 to approve funds from its contingency budget to support three events being planned by the Mill Creek Town Center Business Association. Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Nielsen, Councilmember Donna Michelson, Councilmember Terry Ryan, and Mayor Mike Todd voted “yes;” Councilmember Bart Masterson voted “no;” and Councilmember Mark Harmsworth abstained. Councilmember Mark Bond couldn’t attend the City Council meeting because of a work conflict.

This summer’s Mill Creek Art Walk will receive $500, the Summer Concert Series will receive $1,000, and the Halloween Treats on Main Street will receive $1,000 from the City.

Linda Knox, President of the Mill Creek Town Center Business Association, also requested $2,000 for the Santa Parade, but the City Council directed the acting City Manager, Tom Gathmann, to get additional information regarding how these funds will be spent before deciding whether or not to provide the money.

The Mill Creek City Council voted 5-0 with two abstentions to accept a 2.2 acre land parcel, a 40-foot wide access easement, and a 15-foot wide utility easement from Pacific Topsoils at the April 24^th City Council meeting.

Accepting the warranty deed and easements for this property located east of 35^th Avenue SE near Thomas Lake was a required step in a June, 2010 Framework Agreement between the City and Pacific Topsoils that settled a land use dispute.