Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall reads out a proposal for a $75,000 surety bond for 2024, which will serve as an insurance policy for the town’s money as used by the redevelopment commission. When approved, this proposal also sets an agreement with current board members to return next year. Photo by Lilli Dwyer.

By LILLI DWYER
Staff Writer

MILFORD — Monday, Dec. 11, was the last Milford Redevelopment Commission meeting for 2023.

The commission adopted a list of 2024 meeting dates and set a surety bond for next year at $75,000. This bond serves as “protection for the public against any nefarious activities any of us would individually engage in,” said commission member Dan Brown. Essentially, money in the surety bond can be used as a backup if someone in the commission loses the town money due to mismanagement or some other circumstances.

There are currently no planned changes in the appointment of board members. Current board members are Brown, Doug Ruch, John Beer, Chuck Byrd and Tricia Gall. Steven Baut also serves on the board as a nonvoting member.

Brown also mentioned an economic development commission will be formed to issue bonds for an operations facility project in TIF District 2. Brown said negotiations for the project, which he first discussed at the November meeting, are ongoing. When complete, the economic development commission will be needed to issue bonds and pledge TIF funds to reimburse BRTB, the company funding the project.

This project is located on the north side of CR 1300N at Old SR 15.

One member of this commission must be appointed by the Milford Town Council. Kosciusko County’s appointee will be chosen at the county council’s meeting Thursday, Dec. 14.

Milford’s redevelopment commission will continue working with BRTB on this operations facility project in 2024, as well as keeping track of progress on the Eastfield housing development in the TIF residential. Two houses are now complete and up for sale, with two more under construction.