Middletown council approves appointments, equipment purchases and budget adjustments; names acting city manager permanent

Middletown City Council approved a slate of routine and emergency measures at its March 4 meeting, including personnel confirmations, equipment purchases, budget appropriations for water projects and police technology, and the appointment of Acting City Manager Ashley Combs as permanent city manager following an executive session.

The council approved consent-agenda items confirming conditional appointments to the police and public-works ranks and confirming the appointment of Ethan Harness as public works superintendent. On the motion agenda the council reappointed Bill Becker and Joan Newland to two-year terms on the Renaissance Area District New Community Authority board for terms ending Oct. 2, 2026, and approved the purchase of a backhoe loader and an articulated wheel loader from Southwest of South Eastern Equipment Company, Inc., for a combined total of $281,466.88 ($102,722.80 and $178,744.08 respectively). Council members voted in favor of the purchases and reappointments; roll-call votes showed unanimous approval by council members present.

Nut graf: The votes finalize routine staffing changes and authorize equipment and capital spending that city staff said are needed to replace overdue assets and start water-system construction scheduled to begin in March.

Significant votes and outcomes (at a glance)

- Consent agenda: Approved (unanimous roll call). Confirmed conditional appointments to patrol officer and water treatment operator positions; confirmed appointment of public works superintendent. (Vote: unanimous yeses.)

- Motion agenda item A — Reappointments to Renaissance Area District New Community Authority: Reappointed Bill Becker and Joan Newland to two-year terms retroactive to Oct. 3, 2024, ending Oct. 2, 2026. Council noted the district covers about 50.86 acres. Motion passed unanimously.

- Motion agenda item B — Equipment purchases: Approved purchase of a 2025 CASE backhoe loader ($102,722.80) for the sewer department and a 2025 CASE articulated wheel loader ($178,744.08) for the streets department from Southwest of South Eastern Equipment Co., Inc. The total for both pieces is $281,466.88. The council accepted staff's recommendation citing equipment past-due replacement cycles (73 months overdue for the backhoe; 141 months for the wheel loader). Motion passed unanimously.

- Resolution R2025-04 (second reading): Approved $1,715.62 from a fire prevention auction sale to replace a deteriorating safety house used for child fire-safety education. Motion passed unanimously.

- Resolution R2025-05 (declared emergency): Approved three water- and police-related appropriations: $660,000 for a three-year lime solids removal contract (Water Fund), $14,578,906 for water capital reserve projects (water storage tank and filter backwash tank; includes an identified $1,125,000 grant to offset costs) and $29,195 from the law-enforcement trust fund for police audio-visual "case cracker" equipment. Staff said the water capital projects are set to begin construction in March and emergency legislation was requested to allow timely contractor approvals. Motion passed unanimously.

Other legislative items: Council conducted a second reading on a contract extension with SmartBill for mailing about 18,500 water bills monthly; staff said the price increase is about half a penny per bill and no action was required at this meeting. The ordinance to authorize contract extensions for grounds maintenance was presented on first reading; no vote was taken on that ordinance.

Final action: After an executive session, council voted unanimously to appoint Ashley Combs as permanent city manager, subject to the law director negotiating an employment agreement for presentation at a future meeting.

Ending: Council adjourned and set its next regular meeting for March 18, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.