| By Big Radio News Staff |
Milton nears the end of its 2025 municipal budgeting process.
City Administrator Paul Hensch says the budget is balanced and qualifies for a payment through the state’s expenditure restraint program.
The total budget is $5.8 million and includes funding for a 13th full-time police officer.
Though the budget won’t be approved for a couple more weeks, Police Chief Brandon Sachse got the council’s blessing to post the opening before final approval in the hopes of attracting a candidate in time to attend a local recruit academy that starts in January.
If the department can’t find and place a candidate in that academy, Sachse says the hiring process would be delayed until June and that the new officer wouldn’t be on board until the end of 2025, if not 2026.
Sachse says a 13th officer would allow the department to have two officers on duty for every shift seven days a week.
No residents were present for the public hearing on the budget, but Mayor Anissa Welch says people can still give feedback to city staff or elected officials.
