Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MILFORD - Overall, Milford's total general budget for 2003 will increase by 5.7 percent.
Milford Clerk-Treasurer Charlotte Siegfried presented the number estimates to the town council during the first budget workshop of the year Monday. For 2002, the total is $495,415. For 2003, it is estimated to be $523,665.
"I want to say you did a wonderful job," councilman Douglas Ruch said.
"Looks good to me," said council chairman John Lehman.
The general budget includes the budget for police, clerk-treasurer's office and park board.
The 2003 police budget, as presented by town marshal Dave Hobbs, is estimated at $245,090.40 for 2003. The 2002 budget is $233,341. The estimate includes a $4,000 increase for equipment, repairs and maintenance and a 5 percent increase in wages for employees.
The clerk's budget also includes a 5-7 percent increase for employees. The total clerk's budget for 2003 is estimated at $249,755, an increase of 6.3 percent over the $234,915 figure for 2002.
Figures raised in the park budget include increases for lifeguards, phone, maintenance and legal advertising as well as capital improvement.
The 2002 park budget is $27,160, with the 2003 estimated park budget at $27,970.
In addition, Siegfried asked the council to consider expenses for a Web page for the town, a new copier and new hardware and software to manage the town's utility billing program. She will provide more information to the council at its 6 p.m. meeting Monday.
She said the cost for Bobby Stump, a college student, to set up the Web page will be $800 and a $25 monthly maintenance fee.
The new copier, which can fit on a countertop, she said, will cost approximately $2,195 plus a monthly maintenance fee.
To update the utility billing program, cost will be at least $5,600. The town's current program operates on DOS programming and there are few if any companies that can service DOS programs anymore should something go wrong.
Members of the Milford Town Council are John Lehman, Robert Phillips and Douglas Ruch. The next budget workshop is at 6 p.m. Monday, followed by their regular meeting at 7 p.m.
They will have an executive session Monday at 5:30 p.m. to discuss personnel matters.
