Milford City Council adopts appointments, salt purchase, park grant, cannabis moratorium extension and America 250 endorsement

Milford City Council voted on several measures during its Jan. 21 meeting at Milford City Hall, approving appointments to the Clermont County Tax Incentive Review Council, awarding a rock-salt purchase contract, accepting a $400,000 state capital grant for 5 Points Landing Park, extending a temporary moratorium on adult-use cannabis businesses, and endorsing America 250–Ohio.

The most consequential fiscal actions included the council’s adoption of a resolution appointing the city manager and the finance director as the city’s representatives to the Clermont County Tax Incentive Review Council (TERC). City Manager Benjamin Gunderson had recommended the appointments and told the committee earlier that “My recommendation is that we appoint the city manager, myself, as well as our finance director to the to the tax incentive review council.” The resolution (2025-658, as amended) was adopted unanimously. The resolution cites Chapter 5709 of the Ohio Revised Code as the statutory framework for TERC review and directs the city’s representatives to participate in the annual compliance review of tax-exempted projects.

Council also approved an ordinance awarding a contract under the state procurement bid to Compass Minerals for rock salt at $86.81 per ton. The ordinance authorizes adding 750 tons to the 450 tons already in the city’s salt barn and sets a not-to-exceed expenditure of $66,000. The ordinance (25-330) was adopted unanimously.

In park funding, council authorized the city manager to accept $400,000 from the Ohio Office of Budget and Management for 5 Points Landing Park (ordinance 25-332). Gunderson told the committee the city had received the award and that the funds are eligible for phase 2 work at the park. The ordinance to accept the funds passed unanimously.

On cannabis policy, council adopted an ordinance extending the existing moratorium on adult-use cannabis dispensaries, cultivators and processors within the city. Committee discussion had recommended extending the 180-day moratorium while zoning code revisions proceed; the ordinance text read at the meeting extends the moratorium as described in prior ordinance 24-301/24-303. (Note: committee minutes record a recommendation to extend for 180 days; the ordinance text read aloud at the Jan. 21 session references the moratorium’s extension from the date of passage; the published ordinance included a different numeric duration in the read text. See clarifying details below.) The moratorium ordinance was adopted unanimously.

Council also approved a resolution endorsing the America 250–Ohio commission’s statewide commemoration activities (resolution 2025-659). The resolution expresses support for the commission’s effort “to educate, preserve, innovate, and celebrate” Ohio’s role in the nation’s 250th anniversary and passed without dissent.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2025-658 (TERC appointments): adopted unanimously (7–0). Appoints City Manager Benjamin Gunderson and Finance Director Pat Wirthlin; authority: Ohio Revised Code, chapter 5709. - Ordinance 25-330 (rock salt purchase, Compass Minerals): adopted unanimously (7–0). Authorizes up to $66,000; price $86.81/ton; adds 750 tons to existing 450 tons in salt barn. - Ordinance 25-331 (extension of moratorium on adult-use cannabis businesses / follow-on to ordinance 24-303): adopted unanimously (7–0). Committee recommended an additional 180 days while zoning revisions are considered; ordinance text as read at meeting references the moratorium extension from the date of passage (see clarifying details). - Ordinance 25-332 (accept $400,000 from Ohio Office of Budget and Management for 5 Points Landing Park): adopted unanimously (7–0). - Resolution 2025-659 (endorsement of America 250–Ohio): adopted unanimously (7–0).

What the votes mean - Tax incentives oversight: Appointing the city manager and finance director to TERC places primary administrative responsibility for annual reviews with staff responsible for finance and economic development compliance. - Winter preparedness: The salt purchase is intended to replenish the city’s supply ahead of winter storms; the council authorized purchasing additional salt to restore the city’s stockpile. - Park funding: The $400,000 from the Ohio Office of Budget and Management is designated for 5 Points Landing Park and moves the project toward its next development phase. - Cannabis moratorium: Council extended the local moratorium on new adult-use cannabis operations while the city continues zoning-code work; the extension preserves the status quo for the period specified in the ordinance. - America 250 endorsement: Council formally endorsed the state-level commemorative program.

Council members who voted in favor at roll call were Mayor Evans, Vice Mayor Parish, Council Members Velardo, Price, Thompson, Cooper and Chamberlain. No recorded nay votes or abstentions were recorded for the measures adopted that evening.

Background and next steps Staff will carry out implementation tasks authorized by council: the city manager’s office and finance department will represent Milford on TERC reviews; the service department will complete the salt procurement under the state bid; the city manager is authorized to accept the OBM funds for 5 Points Landing Park and proceed with project steps; and the moratorium remains in effect while staff continues zoning-code revisions. Any ordinance implementing contracts or spending will be posted in the council’s subsequent meeting materials and official records.