City Council Approves $14M Infrastructure Bond Over Vocal Opposition

MILLBROOK, June 11 — After nearly three hours of public comment and contentious debate, the Millbrook City Council voted 5-2 Tuesday to approve a $14 million general obligation bond that will fund a slate of long-deferred infrastructure projects across the city. The measure now heads to voters as a ballot referendum in the November general election. Council members Darla Okonkwo and Pete Fassler cast the dissenting votes, both citing concerns about the city's existing debt load.

What the Bond Would Fund

If voters approve the measure, the money would be allocated across three main areas: $6.1 million for road resurfacing on 22 identified corridors, including the heavily traveled Sycamore Boulevard corridor; $4.3 million for storm drain upgrades in the flood-prone Garfield Heights neighborhood; and $3.6 million for construction of a new Fire Station No. 4 on Eastridge Drive, which would cut emergency response times on the east side from an average of nine minutes to an estimated five. City Manager Loretta Huang called the package "the minimum responsible investment" needed to address infrastructure that in some cases dates to the 1960s. "We've been kicking this can down a very bumpy road," she said, drawing some laughter from the gallery.

Opponents at the microphone Tuesday raised familiar concerns: a projected property tax increase of roughly $47 per year for the median Millbrook homeowner, and skepticism about cost estimates that some residents argued were too optimistic. Fassler suggested the council explore a phased approach, separating the fire station from the road and drainage work. That amendment failed 4-3 before the full bond package passed. The Millbrook Taxpayers Alliance said in a statement Wednesday morning that it will campaign against the referendum. The November ballot will also include a school board race and two state legislative contests.