February 17, 2026
Professional, Engaging, and Transparent
Last night I attended the Miamisburg City Council meeting — and before the meeting even began, something stood out.
As attendees were taking their seats, a professionally produced highlight video of Miamisburg played on the monitors throughout the room. It was engaging, visually appealing, and immediately drew people in. For anyone attending for the first time, it served as a powerful introduction to the community.
What a smart way to market your city — right before you begin conducting its business.
And yes — the meeting is recorded, so others can view it afterward as well.
Special Recognition: Community Leadership in Action
Mayor Collins opened with a recognition of Boy Scout Eric Anderson, who created an American Flag Retirement Collection Box so residents can respectfully retire worn flags.
Approximately 25 fellow scouts, leaders, and family members were in attendance to support him — and notably, they stayed for the entire meeting. In addition, there were roughly another dozen residents present outside of city officials.
It was encouraging to see young leadership recognized and civic engagement modeled in real time.
Clear Communication on Every Agenda Item
One of the most impressive aspects of the evening was the clarity of presentation.
Each department seeking approval — whether for ordinances, resolutions, or motions — presented clear, easy-to-read slides outlining:
- The purpose of the request
- The funding source
- The projected cost
- The rationale
- Timeline expectations
This level of preparation matters.
While I would normally be cautious about the adoption of ordinances on first reading (especially when declared as emergency measures), what was presented was thorough, fact-based, and supported by clear financial numbers.
Council members asked clarifying questions where appropriate, particularly regarding funding structures and cost estimates, and answers were provided directly and transparently.
That builds confidence.
Highlights from the Meeting
Several key items were approved:
Municipal Income Tax Amendment (Ordinance 7198)
Presented with clear explanation from the finance department and passed following discussion. The communication was straightforward and factual.
Water Infrastructure – Production Wells 14 & 15
Approximately $8.4 million project, phased work beginning this spring. This is long-term infrastructure investment, with discussion of engineering estimates and project timeline.
Parks & Recreation Investments
- Playground equipment purchase (noted cost ceiling)
- Soccer Complex Mini-Pitch project (competitive bidding waiver explained)
- Community Center Roofing Improvements
- Acceptance of funds raised through the Miamisburg Community Foundation (approximately $1.4 million previously raised toward the Soccer Complex improvements)
The soccer complex alone sees approximately 30,000 visitors annually, which underscores the importance of maintaining and enhancing that asset.
Each of these items included funding explanations and project justification.
America250 Resolution
Support for the Ohio Commission for the United States Semi Quincentennial (America250-OH) was presented at no cost to the city, with involvement from local historical organizations.
Overall Impression
This meeting left me feeling connected to the leadership and impressed by the transparent approach to governance.
- Professional presentation
- Clear financial breakdowns
- Fact-based rationale
- Clarifying questions answered openly
- Community engagement present in the room
It is one thing to approve projects.
It is another to communicate them well.
Last night demonstrated a leadership team that appears prepared, organized, and intentional in how they present decisions affecting residents.
Civic engagement matters — and transparency builds trust.