As with many American cities these days, Mill Creek has budget problems. Revenues are down and expenses are up which results in a projected deficit for the 2013-2014 budget.

On November 6th Mill Creek voters will decide whether or not to help reduce the budget deficit by approving a 0.1% sales and use tax increase, which can only be used to pay for public safety.

The ballot measure is entitled “Proposition 1, Sales and Use Tax Increase of 0.1% for Police and Fire Protection Purposes.”

November 17, 2012 Update:

According to a Qdoba Mexican Grill spokesperson, their new Mill Creek restaurant will open for business on November 26, 2012.

Qdoba Mexican Grill, Starbucks and an AT&T retail store will be the three tenants in a new building in the Mill Creek Plaza shopping center where Round Table Pizza was located. The old Round Table Pizza building was demolished last winter.

A Mill Creek Tennis Club women’s team, the Breakers, won the first place title at the United States Tennis Association (USTA) League 3.5 Adult National Championships in Tucson, Arizona on October 7, 2012.

According to their coach, Roger Mark, winning the national tennis championship was “an extraordinary achievement in human endurance” for the Breakers because they had to overcome the loss of seven players since the season began back in February. Mark said the Breakers went to Tucson with nine players instead of the normal 16 due to injuries, a pregnancy, and relocation. Since eight players were required for each match, the nine remaining tennis team members had to play match after match in the hot desert sun without the relief afforded by a larger team. Mark described the championship win as, “overcoming all odds against the toughest competitors. Their camaraderie and sisterhood enabled them to achieve this national title.”

From a City of Mill Creek news release:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mill Creek is seeking volunteers to fill two full-term vacancies and two mid-term vacancies on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.  The full-term appointments will expire on October 31, 2015 and the mid-term appointments will expire on October 31, 2013.

Parks and Recreation Board meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m.  All members must be residents of the City of Mill Creek.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Please be advised that 145th Street SE will be closed in Mill Creek between Bothell-Everett Highway and North Creek Drive from Tuesday, October 9th through Saturday, October 13th.

October 4, 2012 Update

The new Thomas Lake McDonald's will open tonight at midnight! As well, Ronald McDonald will be appearing at the new restaurant on Saturday, October 13th from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM.

As you might have noticed, the Thomas Lake McDonalds restaurant on 132nd Street SE has been demolished. However, golden arches fans don’t need to worry, because a larger McDonalds will be built at the same location.

At the September 25th city council meeting the Mill Creek City Council voted unanimously to amend the East Gateway Urban Village chapter of the Mill Creek Municipal Code to encourage development.

Mill Creek’s popular cable ride is ready for service after being out of commission for over a month. According to a City of Mill Creek spokesperson, a bolt in the pulley assembly may have failed due to a stress fracture. The repair was performed under warranty at no cost to the City.

The cable ride is designed specifically for older children and is a safe version of a zip line.