Milford City Council Meeting – July 27, 2026

The Milford City Council met on July 27, 2026. Council heard public comment, approved the agenda, adopted a 50th anniversary proclamation for the Parks and Recreation Department, reappointed members to boards and commissions, approved the fiscal 2027 tax warrant, received a grant notification, authorized police vehicle purchases and BMX facility improvements, and later entered executive session before adjourning.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Under the 15-minute public comment period (three minutes per person), Gary Emery (listed as Gary Emory on the sign-up list), of 8473 Holybrook Drive, Lincoln, Delaware, spoke. He said he was a Milford Parks and Recreation employee from 1978 to April 2015 and served as director from May 1981 until his retirement in April 2016, some 35 years. He announced that September 18, 2026, will mark the 50th anniversary celebration of the department and noted the importance of commemorating former staff, volunteers, and individuals no longer living. He thanked City Manager Todd and the council for their support.
• No additional in-person or online speakers came forward. The mayor announced that the property tax appeal hearing had been canceled; no hearing was held.

Agenda Approval

• Council approved the agenda as presented by voice vote with no opposition.

Proclamation 2026-15: Parks and Recreation 50th Anniversary

• Mayor read Proclamation 2026-15, declaring 2026 the 50th anniversary year of the City of Milford Parks and Recreation Department. The proclamation recognized the department's establishment in 1976, its role in developing the Mispillion River Walk from Silver Lake to Goat Island, and the River Walk's status as the largest municipal park in Delaware. It also cited long-standing traditions such as the Freedom Festival and urged residents to join in honoring past and present staff.

Communications and Correspondence

• A council member relayed a constituent's concern from the third ward about overgrown grass and grass in curbing, and also observed the issue in the fourth ward. The council member asked the appropriate departments to address it.

Board and Commission Reappointments

• Council approved the following reappointments by voice vote:
  • Planning Commission: Charles Hammond and Ian Wright
  • Board of Adjustments: Ronald Rizzo
  • Tree Preservation and Advisory Board: Holly Heverly and Jason Peel
  • Parks and Recreation Advisory Board: Daron Johnson and Meredith Schmidt
• The mayor said he expects to bring forward a new Planning Commission nominee at a future date. Councilman Jason clarified that the mayor has the authority to nominate, while council may accept or deny the appointment.

Fiscal 2027 Tax Warrant

• Finance Director Lou Will presented the fiscal 2027 tax warrant, described as the 2026 tax warrant, based on current property assessments less exemptions and senior citizen discounts. The resulting August property tax billing would be just over $7 million. In response to Councilman Marabella, Will estimated that a one-cent billing rate change from last year would generate about $114,000, growth would add about another $200,000, and the total change would be about $300,000.
• The tax warrant adoption proceeded even though the property tax appeal hearing had been canceled.
• Council authorized the mayor to sign the tax warrant as presented.

FY26 Burn Discretionary Community Project Grant Notification

• Staff notified council that the city applied for federal funding through the U.S. House and Senate Appropriations Committees in the amount of $435,000 for a rescue/SWAT vehicle. The grant could supplement or replace about $400,000 in city funds. No action or vote was required.

Police Department FY27 Replacement and Expansion Vehicles

• Staff requested authorization to use approved capital improvement funds to purchase and replace vehicles, including three take-home vehicles for recruits completing field training and one vehicle from the department's normal replacement line.
• Council approved the vehicle purchases by voice vote.

BMX Facility Improvements

• The Building Department reported a building permit application for a new structure at the city-owned BMX facility. Because the existing ground lease requires city approval for improvements, the drawing had been reviewed and approved by the building official and the permit awaited council approval.
• Dean Johnson, representing Richard Wyatt Johnson/ROIJ, said the structure would protect the $70,000 starting gate from weather, improve the facility's appeal, and would be donated to the city at no cost.
• Council approved the BMX facility improvements.

Executive Session and Adjournment

• Council voted to enter executive session, stated that no action would be taken from it, and then voted to adjourn.