The Milton City Council convened on July 19, 2025, for a workshop focused on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, addressing key financial allocations and operational needs, particularly within the gas department.

The meeting began with an introduction of new council members, followed by a discussion led by Mr. Cook regarding the capital budget. A significant allocation of $7,480,000 was earmarked for renewing old gas lines and related infrastructure, which is part of a larger capital budget exceeding $8 million. This funding includes a federal grant, ensuring that the city can modernize its gas services effectively.

Council members raised concerns about the current backlog of gas service requests, with approximately 100 customers awaiting connections. Mr. Cook assured the council that hiring three new technicians would help address this backlog, estimating a timeline of four to six months to catch up with demand. He clarified that while a contract crew was considered, the city would manage the workload internally to avoid recurring costs.

Further inquiries revealed that the gas department receives around 20 to 30 connection requests monthly. However, Mr. Cook noted that many of the pending requests are for generators, which are not prioritized. He indicated that the new pricing module for gas connections might reduce the number of customers interested in service, particularly since many existing requests may not require immediate attention.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of addressing the gas service backlog while managing costs effectively. The council plans to continue monitoring the situation as they finalize the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.