The Milan Town Board unanimously adopted a final 2026 town budget that includes more money for bridge work and raises overall spending by around five percent.
Compared to 2025, the 2026 budget approved Nov. 17 has slight increases in spending across the General Fund, Highway Fund, and Fire Protection Fund, bringing the total budget to $3,989,383, compared to the 2025 budget of $3,772,215. The increase is largely accounted for in the Highway Fund, where a major increase in spending is for bridge work, budgeted for 2026 at $469,094, up from $133,870 in 2025.
Revenue for 2026 is anticipated to increase by around $350,000, mostly in the General Fund, where revenue from fines and forfeitures is forecast at $425,000, up from $240,000 in 2025. Other revenue streams for facility leases, zoning fees, refuse container fees, franchise fees, and sales tax also are expected to increase.
Highway Superintendent Glenn Butler was authorized to seek quotes for deck maintenance on the Rock City Road Bridge. While performing stabilization work on the bridge earlier in the year, Butler noticed damage to the surface, and will collect bids from HVEA Engineers, CPL Engineering, Creighton Manning, GPI Engineering, Tectonic Engineering, and MJ Engineering.
In other business, the board authorized Supervisor Al Lo Brutto to sign an agreement between the Town of Milan and the Milan Volunteer Fire Department to continue to serve the area. The town also is renewing a contract that requires the town to refer certain zoning actions to the county for approval. These actions include map changes, comprehensive plans, and zoning amendments, which may be deemed to have a “countywide” or “inter-community” impact. Site plans for single family homes, duplexes, and accessory dwelling units are not bound by the agreement.
The next board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Dec. 15.