By: DANAE KING
Record Herald Writer
Printed in the Weekly Record Herald June 17, 2011
WEST MILTON – A tax renewal levy was placed on the ballot for November at the West Milton Council Meeting on June 14. The levy is a renewal for the ½% income tax for police and fire that will last five years if renewed. Municipal Manager, Tony Howard said he thought the renewal would benefit the citizens of West Milton.
“I think that’s really important to the citizens,” Howard said. “I think it goes without saying that most people want to feel secure where they live and that’s what these types of ordinances allow us to do, is maintain an adequate policing staff and an adequate fire staff, those are our primary concerns with public safety.”
The levy will be on the ballot on November 8, 2011.
An ordinance to amend a zoning map was read by Law Director Charles Sell and the council decided to vote on the ordinance next month, since it was the first time it had been read. The ordinance was concerning a lot changing from a neighborhood business lot to a two family residential lot, the lot is located on S. Miami St.
A resolution regarding intent to use alternative tax document format was approved by the council, the use of a different format will allow for electronic submission of taxes, making the process easier.
Two zoning ordinances were tabled, as requested by Howard. The ordinances both involved the same property and dealt with amending zoning maps. The first ordinance was about a lot split and the second about a property transitioning from agricultural land to residential land.
Don Martin, a citizen, expressed concern to the council about the chief of police attending meetings. His comments began with questions about getting a concealed carry license, and then he expressed how much he thought the chief of police should be present at council meetings to answer questions from citizens. Howard replied that citizens didn’t have to wait until council meetings to talk to the chief of police, that they could call him or set up an appointment. Martin resisted and said he still thought the chief should be at the meeting answering questions.
“The chief should be here answering [my questions], in front of the people, in front of the council, [we] should know what kind of job they’re doing,” Martin said. “Why can’t the chief speak for himself … I’d like to talk to him here in front of everybody so everybody can understand.”
Martin also had various other complaints, but then stepped down.
The council will be hosting a workshop that is open to the public on June 28 at 7 p.m.
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