During the City of Milton City Council Regular Meeting held on December 20, 2024, significant discussions centered around amendments to city codes and a new partnership aimed at enhancing emergency training services.

The council began by considering a tax amendment related to impact fees, specifically addressing the timing of assessment and payment. This amendment is part of ongoing efforts to streamline financial processes within the city’s governance. The council unanimously approved this item, reflecting a collective agreement on the need for clarity and efficiency in municipal financial operations.

Another key agenda item involved a proposed amendment to the Parks and Recreation fees, which aimed to establish new charges for late pickups and aftercare services in recreational programming. This amendment is crucial as it seeks to ensure that the city can adequately fund its recreational services while also encouraging timely pickups by parents, thereby enhancing overall program management.

A notable highlight of the meeting was the introduction of a licensed training provider agreement with the American National Red Cross. This partnership will allow the Milton Fire Department to become a certified training entity, enabling them to conduct CPR and advanced cardiac life support training in-house. Currently, the department relies on third-party providers for these essential certifications, which has proven to be inefficient and cumbersome.

The Fire Department's Medical Services Officer, Mark Haskins, emphasized that this new arrangement will not only streamline the certification process but also empower the department to train its own personnel and community members. By developing internal instructors, the department anticipates significant time and cost savings, as well as improved training outcomes. This initiative positions Milton among a select group of municipalities exploring similar partnerships, with Atlanta being a notable example of a city already engaged in such training programs.

In conclusion, the City Council's discussions and decisions during this meeting reflect a proactive approach to enhancing city services and operational efficiency. The approved amendments and new training partnership are expected to have lasting positive impacts on the community, particularly in emergency preparedness and recreational programming. As the council moves forward, the implementation of these initiatives will be closely monitored to ensure they meet the needs of Milton's residents effectively.