Natalie Brown-Miller to run for county treasurer on Democratic ticket

HARRISBURG -- Harrisburg City Councilwoman Natalie Brown-Miller will run for County Treasurer on the Democratic ticket next year, and she says if elected she wants to make local government more transparent to taxpayers.

"I love being a commissioner for the city of Harrisburg, but when this opportunity arose I decided to take the step for Saline County Treasurer," Brown-Miller said. "It continues to be my goal to do what is in the best interest of the taxpayers. In light of recent events concerning financial issues in our county government, it reassured me in my decision to step up and run for Saline County Treasurer. I love serving the taxpayers of Harrisburg and would like to expand that to serve the entire county."

Brown-Miller, a 2000 graduate of Harrisburg High School who holds a master's degree in special education, is a youth counselor at Egyptian Health Department. She first was elected to city council in April 2015 and was the second-highest vote-getter in the race. Since her election to council, she has been an adamant supporter of completely open city council meetings. She routinely votes "no" when council goes into closed session, sometimes called executive session.

"My biggest goal is to make our local government as transparent and efficient as I can to prevent our property taxes from increasing anymore," she said. "I understand there are certain legal issues or personnel issues that do need to be addressed in executive session. However, our Council goes into ES almost every meeting. I believe that a large majority of the issues that they discuss can be done in open session, as other municipalities do. Unless I know for a fact that ES is needed, I vote no. I also vote no, every six months when we review our ES minutes, to closing them to the public. I believe with the exception of few topics, the majority of those minutes should be available to the public."

She cites several accomplishments of the city as being highlights of her tenure in office, where she serves as Street and Alley Commissioner.

"The city has passed a balanced budget and lived within it since I have been on council. There have been no issues or findings in any municipal audit since I have served on council. Also, current street improvements and upcoming project within my department (are being accomplished)," she said. "Also, this is not a city accomplishment, but being a commissioner gave me the profile and voice to be asked to take over the Saline County July 4th fireworks and I was able to successfully do that this year, and will do it again next year."

Brown-Miller said she's looking forward to the political contest.

"I'm very excited about the upcoming election and plan to work very hard to win," she said. "I greatly appreciate all of the support I have received."</group><group id="72A15D86-9CF3-4