Middletown Mayor Lawrence P. Mulligan Jr. is expected to address a wide range of topics at tonight’s State of the City.
Among the changes he’s expected to discuss include: Middletown City Council, its composition and members; adjusting to the challenges of the city’s proposed budget; economic development through job creation and revitalization; changes in the operation of the city; and changing city managers.
Middletown City Council dropped its ward representation this year, and now, instead of seven members, there are five.
City Manager Judy Gilleland has said the city needs to reduce its budget by $2.25 million over the next two to three years, and most of the cuts are expected to come from public safety, with layoffs to the fire and police departments. She said spending in public safety has increased by nearly 30 percent since 2000, while spending in all other general fund
activities has decreased by 29 percent.
She said 72 percent of the general fund is public safety related and of that, 89 percent is personnel related.
The fire and police unions have publicly criticized the budget cuts, and Dora Bronston and Dan Picard have supported the unions. Picard was re-elected last fall to council and Bronston was elected to council for the first time.
The city is focusing its efforts on revitalizing downtown, and spurring development in the East End, near Ohio 122 and Interstate 75. Five historic downtown properties recently were purchased, and all are hoping to qualify for grants that will finance extensive renovations.
Gilleland announced her retirement, effective June 6. The city is accepting resumes through the end of April, and hopes to name her replacement in early June.
Also at tonight’s event, Marcia Andrew, president of the Middletown City School District board of education, will talk about the district and two major awards will be presented.
Yudell and Stephen Hightower, owners of Hightower Petroleum in Middletown, will receive the 8th annual Robert “Sonny” Hill Jr Humanitarian Award and Barb Reuss will receive the fourth annual Armbruster Memorial Award, named of honor of Jim Armbruster, owner of Armbruster Florist and a former city council member.
Robert “Sonny” Hill’s widow, Patricia Hill, and Melinda Armbruster, Jim’s widow, are expected to attend the event.