By JOHN BADEN
Record Herald Writer
Courtesy of the Record Herald; Printed 12.16.12
WEST MILTON – The West Milton Village Council closed out 2012 by passing two resolutions and two ordinances, which solidified its budget appropriations for 2013 and amended the city’s income tax code.
At its meeting last month, the council had the first reading of the amendments, which would make Vandalia the collector of its income tax, moving the collection date from April 30 up to April 15.
Retirees with no source of income will only have to file once, operating losses won’t be carried over and landlords will be required to submit an updated list of their renters before Oct. 31 of each year. Municipal Manager Matt Kline said that residents also can expect to receive postcards in the mail by Dec. 22 informing them that in January, Vandalia will be taking over the collection of the village’s income tax, which was previously collected by Hamilton.
The village is changing collection cities because Vandalia will provide the service for less costs (3 percent of collections versus 5 percent), according to Kline. He added that the proximity of the city to West Milton is much more convenient for Milton’s residents and businesses.
A resolution was also passed giving full-time employees in West Milton a 1.5 percent increase in their wages, starting in the first pay period of 2013.
Kline will be sticking around in West Milton.
After hiring Kline in December 2011, the city council unanimously passed a resolution that permanently renewed Kline’s contract, which started in December 2011, at an annual salary of $67,750.
The contract includes an option for a salary increase in 2014.
Board member Ora Ashley complimented Kline on his hard work and said that not one person working under Kline has had any complaints.
“We’ve been very lucky to have our new manager for the year, and I’m very proud of what he’s done,” Ashley said.
Kline thanked the council for its support and went onto say how much working in the city has meant to him.
“This has been without a doubt the best year professionally I’ve ever had in my life, and I look for many many more years to serve with you and the community,” Kline said.
Kline announced that the West Milton Rotary Club has named Ben Herron, supervisor of Streets and Grounds, a Honorary Rotarian for exemplifying its motto, which is “service above self.”
According to Kline, Herron is only the second person to receive this title in the club’s 63 year history.
“It was a complete surprise,” Herron said about finding out after Kline took him and Herron’s wife to dinner at the Rotary.
In other business, it was noted that the municipality building will be closed on Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 for the Christmas and New Year’s holiday. There will be no workshop later this month.
On Jan. 31, the regular workshop will be the council’s joint meeting with the Milton-Union School Board of Education and Union Township Trustees in the municipality building.
The Community Pride Award nominations also will be revealed to council later this week with votes by council members expected to be turned in the following week. The winners will be notified Dec. 21 and officially recognized at the council’s meeting in early January.
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