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Milford council accepts 2027 tax-budget notice; public hearing surfaces questions about transfers and park levy renewal
Summary
Council accepted the 2027 tax-budget notice for submission to the county after a public hearing that prompted resident questions about large miscellaneous revenue swings and staff explanations that some funds (PFOS settlement) moved to the water fund and transfers fell after a rate study. Council also discussed whether the 5 Points park levy must go on the November 2027 ballot.
Milford City Council voted to adopt the city's 2027 tax-budget notice for submission to Clermont County after a public hearing in which residents and council members pressed staff for clarity about several large line-item changes.
City Manager Benjamin Gunderson told council the tax-budget packet is an estimate required by the county that summarizes 2025 actuals, 2026 estimates and expected 2027 revenues and levies; the document is not the final operating budget, he said. Gunderson noted a noticeable decrease in marijuana-related revenue for 2027 (a return to regular scheduling) and explained that one large miscellaneous entry in the 2026 column represented PFOS settlement funding that the city moved into the water fund for 2027.
The hearing drew a public question from Rachel Richardson, an East Milford resident, who pointed to a $760,000 "miscellaneous revenue" line for 2026 that is shown as $0 in 2027 and asked which funds received transfers out of the general fund in 2026 and what projects they supported. Gunderson said transfers previously subsidized water and sewer operations but a recent rate study made those funds more self-supporting, allowing the city to reduce transfers. He said the PFOS settlement money was reclassified to the water fund, accounting for part of the variance.
Council members pressed staff about reserves and debt obligations. Gunderson said the city's reserve level exceeds the Government Finance Officers Association recommended minimum (he cited roughly 16% during the discussion) and reviewed major debt drivers — water and sewer projects and a hospitality-tax-backed debt for a stadium-related project — noting several water and sewer debt items begin dropping off after 2028.
The council also discussed the future of the park levy that helped fund the 5 Points master plan. Gunderson said continuation would require placing a renewal before voters (first opportunity in November 2027) and noted the master plan was structured in phases tied to levy approvals; he and other council members agreed to hold public hearings and additional outreach before deciding whether to place the renewal on a ballot.
The council closed the public hearing and, by recorded vote, approved the tax budget resolution so staff can file the notice with the county. The operational budget and detailed levy/appropriation actions will return to council later this year for final approval.
