From the Manager's Desk

by Loretta Rokey, City Manager

The first quarter of each year is always busy and this year has been no exception. The Finance Department spent the beginning of the year working with each of our department heads to prepare our annual budget. On March 8, 2003, Council met to review appropriations, which includes funds for daily operations, salaries, maintenance, various improvement projects, needed equipment, and professional services. With the slowing economy and the recent decision by the State of Ohio to cut $30 million from local government funds, we have had to reducing proposed spending. Services that residents enjoy, such as garbage and recycling removal, leaf and brush pick-up, and junk days, will not be affected. City Council and staff will continue to research ways to provide needed services at an affordable cost. The budget must be adopted by March 31^st of each year.

This winter was a difficult one for many, and the City budget definitely absorbed the impact. This winter alone we spent approximately $64,400 on 2,300 tons of salt. The Service and Cemetery employees spent approximately 850 hours plowing and salting streets during the snow and ice. We appreciate their hard work.

In January the Police and Fire Departments worked together to update our Disaster Plan. Accordingly we are prepared for a natural disaster, incidents in the schools, and terrorist activity. Questions about this plan should be directed to the Police Department at 248-5084. On February 25, 2003 the City closed on the sale of the former City offices at the corner of High and Main Streets. The new owners are investing $500,000 into interior and exterior renovations to host an Urban Roast Cafe. Restaurateur Glen Brailey or Brailey Ventures in Dayton presented Council members with his redevelopment plans September 17, 2002. Brailey bought the old city building and the old police station for $85,000. Both buildings have been vacant since March 2000, when City staff moved to our current location at 745 Center Street. City Council placed many conditions on the sale to insure the project would maintain the character of Main Street and enhance the retail district.

Rachelle Rapp-Dickerson Receives Award for Citizenship

On February 26, 2003, Rachelle Rapp-Dickerson received a Clermont 20/20 Salute to Leaders award. As a Milford Junior High School teacher for the past ten years, eight of which were spent coaching two youth sports teams, Rachelle has volunteered her time to projects that enrich student's lives and benefit the community outside of the classroom. She organized students from the Junior High School to pick up litter along the banks of the East Fork River on National Make a Difference Day in October. In addition, for the past four years Rachelle has managed a group of students from her science class who have spent many weekend hours sampling and monitoring water quality of the Little Miami River in Milford. Rachelle has also served as the Vice Chairperson on the City's Parks and Recreation Commission for the past two years, as well as a member of the board of the Valley View Foundation, a non-profit organization working to preserve the largest parcel of green space remaining in Milford.