Milton budget hearing set for Aug. 21

Milton Town Council proposed only minor changes to the town's nearly $1.9 million budget for fiscal year 2018 during its first public review Aug. 7.

Council shot down a request to purchase a leaf loader so public works staff could collect leaves for residents, so Miltonians will continue to bag yard leaves and put them out for pick up. The leaf loader was estimated to cost $3,800.

Milton Mayor Ted Kanakos also balked at a request for about $10,000 for new playground equipment. He argued that Milton Memorial Park already provides enough recreation for children, and worried that liability issues may arise depending on the type of equipment installed.

Council largely disagreed. As a compromise, mayor and council voted to create a new line item for park improvements, lumping together estimates for new playground equipment, benches, trash cans and a pet waste station. They rounded that budget off to $18,000, only $140 less than originally proposed.

The police department's budget for its National Night Out celebration, which took over Milton Memorial Park Aug. 2, was increased from $2,000 to $3,000.

Those minor changes mean Milton has a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year, eliminating the need for a tax increase. However, town officials approved increases to water rates recommended by the town's water committee.

Quarterly user rates will increase from $3 per 1,000 gallons to $3.50 per 1,000 gallons, while water impact fees will increase nearly 40 percent to $2,000.

Councilman Sam Garde questioned several other budget items, such as snow removal, wondering if the amounts listed could adequately cover the need. Milton Town Manager Kristy Rogers and Public Works Supervisor Greg Wingo addressed all their concerns, and no other changes were made.

Other notable expenses included in the upcoming budget, which spans Oct. 1 through Sept. 31, are funding for a new, full-time public works employee; a new generator estimated to cost $42,000 and a new $21,000 truck for the code department; and $2,500 for a robocall service for town emergencies.

A public hearing on the budget will be held at 6:30 p.m., Aug. 21, at the Milton library. Those unable to attend the meeting can submit written comments to Town Hall until 5 p.m., Aug. 21.

To review budget documents online, go to milton.delaware.gov/finance-department-documents.