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Citrus Heights Messenger

Mayor Addresses Councilmember's Controversial Comments

Apr 21, 2021 12:00AM ● By Story by Shaunna Boyd

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - At the Citrus Heights City Council budget study session on April 8, City Manager Chris Boyd asked Councilmember Tim Schaefer to clarify his prior comments (from February 11) that he believed the serious budget issues were presented as retaliation for voters not passing Measure M—the sales tax increase that would have brought additional revenue to Citrus Heights to fund city improvements and staff salaries at the Police Department and City Hall.  

Councilmember Bret Daniels objected to the question, calling it “highly improper dialogue,” and the meeting moved on without an answer from Councilmember Schaefer.

Mayor Steve Miller offered a statement on April 9, addressing the issue: “Despite consistent and comprehensive budget updates and materials provided by city staff, Councilmember Schaefer has made multiple false accusations of inaccurate financial reporting and ‘reprisatory and misleading’ action by city staff in response to the failure of Measure M. Not only are Councilmember Schaefer’s comments false, these unfounded allegations have the dangerous potential to erode the trust of our community that we value and work hard to diligently protect.”

Mayor Miller further stated, “I fully support City Manager Boyd asking clarifying questions during the budget study session in order to publicly correct Schaefer’s irresponsible and false accusations.” During the study session, the Mayor had agreed that the improper dialogue needed to stop, but he clarified that the comment “was directed at Councilmember Schaefer.”

He wrote, “As Mayor of the City of Citrus Heights, I will not stand for the continued disparagement of our City Manager and hardworking staff, a team of highly dedicated individuals who genuinely care about our community.

“Our current budget situation has been forecasted since our city’s incorporation, and despite this long known monumental challenge, City Manager Boyd has worked relentlessly to lead our city through this critical time.

“I ask Councilmember Schaefer to cease his reckless and false allegations so that we can focus on the critical task at hand of continued fiscal prudence.”

The Citrus Heights Messenger reached out to Councilmember Schaefer for comment, but no response was received by press time.