2016 Budget

Middletown to spend more money on nuisance properties, street repairs

By Ed Richter
Staff Writer
MIDDLETOWN —
Economic development, nuisance abatement, infrastructure repair and quality of life efforts in Middletown will see more funding in 2016.

City Manager Doug Adkins outlined the budget for all non-public safety departments during Tuesday’s Middletown City Council meeting. The 2016 public safety budget will be presented at council’s Oct. 20 meeting.

In 2016, General Fund budget spending will grow by 8.4 percent to just more than $8.41 million, up from $7.65 million or $650,384.

Adkins said the non-public safety budget is a continuation of the five-year plan he presented to council when he was interviewing for the job.

“It continues to put heavy emphasis on Economic Development and moving the city towards sustainable revenues,” Adkins said after the presentation. “We continue to expand our collaboration and cooperation with neighboring communities to strengthen both Middletown and the region.”

The largest funding increases are being programmed for the Community Revitalization, Economic Development and Public Works/Utilities departments. In addition, the Health Department, Nuisance Abatement and Capital Improvement funds.

The community revitalization department will see a 16.1 percent increase in its budget to $1.8 million, up from $1.55 million. Adkins is proposing to beef up the city’s code enforcement program by adding two additional code inspectors and adding an additional $150,000 for abatement in 2016.

The city will also continue the demolition of blighted structures and develop a vacant lot program utilizing the Butler County Land Bank where feasible.

In addition, to help with the increased amount of construction planned next year, a building inspector will be added through an interdepartmental transfer so new construction projects will proceed in a timely manner. He said additional permit revenues will pay for the additional expenses.

Adkins said the city will again allocate $25,000 for quality of life events, such as fireworks, in the 2016 budget.

The city’s economic development department will continue its multi-prong approach to promote and coordinate efforts throughout the city. Those efforts such as targeting key downtown sites for redevelopment and working with property owners to increase occupation of available spaces downtown, retention visits to businesses, moving forward to develop certified sites for developers. He said the city would also be coordinating with Downtown Middletown Inc. to create a downtown development plan.

The city’s public works department will be doing more physical and video inspections of storm water piping system and repair or replace defective pipes as needed.

In addition, the city plans to increase the number of streets paved as well as using city crews to do the mill and fill repairs on streets and using the asphalt zipper for other repairs on streets, alleys and parking lots. The city will also continue its replacement of older LED traffic signals and signal heads at 20 intersections.

Other key items in the city budget include:
•A 1 percent cost of living increase for all employees.
•Continuation of the Performance Based Incentive Program which full-time employees will receive $500.
•A part-time sanitarian will become a full-time position in the Health Department
•Additional funding for other professional services for the Health Department to expand services available to the public and assist with the heroin plan implementation.
•An increase of more than $645,000, or 7 percent, in Workman’s Compensation costs.
•An increase of $430,000, or 6 percent in health insurance costs.


Adkins also plans working on efforts to improve the variety and the balance of the city’s housing stock in order to attract and retain residents. In addition, he is planning to work with retail recruitment professionals to bring business to Middletown; additional community engagement efforts; and working with Middletown Moving Forward to complete the public visioning process.

So much for cost containment and cutting, and re-imaging the workforce.

Over one millions dollars in increase, at 6-7%, for workman's comp and insurance. Thought the employee's were to absorb more of these costs. Maybe right sourcing might work for the city if they ever get serious about reductions.

It seems the city makes references to all the savings they make, $10,000. her, $15,000. there. This is one million dollars of increase in one year. Wouldn't part-time employees or outsourcing functions be better? They must have many bad backs and carpal tunnel syndrome from typing to raise wc that much. Expenses seem to be outweighing revenue increases. Variable costs must be killing the city.