Freeport Residents Question Whether Mayor Miller Will Finally Conduct City Manager's Annual Evaluation
Freeport, IL - April 4, 2025
For the first time in eight years, Freeport residents are asking: Will Mayor Jodi Miller finally uphold her duties and conduct the annual performance evaluation of the City Manager, as outlined in his contract?
The City Manager’s contract explicitly requires that the City Council review and evaluate his performance on or before the last council meeting in April each year. This year, that meeting is scheduled for April 21, 2025. However, for nearly a decade, Mayor Miller has failed to fulfill this obligation, raising questions about transparency and accountability in the city’s leadership.
The annual evaluation is far from just a formality. It plays a crucial role in setting specific goals and performance objectives for the City Manager, ensuring that the city operates efficiently and in alignment with the City Council’s policies. Furthermore, this evaluation serves as a vital communication tool for the City Council to articulate their expectations and hold the City Manager accountable to the people of Freeport. The absence of this review over the past eight years has led to growing concerns about whether Freeport’s government is functioning at its best, and whether the City Manager’s goals truly reflect the city’s needs.
With the recent mayoral election behind her, many Freeport residents are hopeful that Mayor Miller—who was re-elected in the latest campaign—will finally take the necessary steps to restore trust and accountability in city leadership. Many have voiced their desire for a government that is transparent, responsive, and truly accountable to the community.
As April 21 draws near, all eyes are on Mayor Miller. Will she follow through and conduct the long-overdue evaluation this year, demonstrating a commitment to transparency and good governance? Or will she continue to sidestep this important responsibility, leaving the city without the vital performance review that is essential for moving Freeport forward?
This is the moment Freeport residents have been waiting for—an opportunity to see whether Mayor Miller is truly committed to the systems in place to guide the city, or if she will once again allow the status quo to prevail. With the clock ticking, it remains to be seen whether Freeport’s leadership will rise to the occasion and fulfill the expectations set out in the City Manager’s contract.
For many, the outcome of this evaluation will be a key indicator of the future direction of Freeport. As the city looks ahead, the question remains: will Mayor Miller take this opportunity to show true leadership, or will she once again ignore the processes designed to move Freeport forward?
