The City of Milton will return to Phase 1 of the City’s Reopening Phased Plan on November 23, 2020, which will result in the closure of City of Milton facilities to the public and the closure of the Community House for rentals. The decision to return to Phase 1 was made based on the Rock County Public Health Department’s return to Phase 1 of their plan and information the department provided regarding the rapid increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases as well as the rise in hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19.
“The decision to close facilities to the public was made based on the Reopening Phased Plan approved by the Common Council in June and through discussions with staff,” said City Administrator Al Hulick. “It was a difficult decision for us to make, but one we think is important in order to keep our community members, our staff, and their families as safe as possible. We hope our community members will understand this decision and utilize physical-contactless service options available through each department.”
“We ask our community to continue to follow recommendations of Rock County public health officials who are working tirelessly to provide the best information to slow the spread of the virus and flatten the curve to allow our healthcare workers to provide sufficient care to those who are ill, with or without this virus,” said Mayor Anissa Welch.
Even though City facilities will be closed to the public beginning November 23, 2020, staff will still be available to answer phone calls and emails from community members. Use the staff directory on the City’s website (www.milton-wi.gov/directory.aspx) to find phone numbers or email addresses for staff members. If you are uncertain who to contact regarding a City-related issue, please call City Hall at (608) 868-6900 ext. 0, and staff will direct your call to the appropriate department or staff member.
Below is a list of physical-contactless service options for each department. Staff will also be exploring the implementation of additional methods of service to safely complete transactions and other interactions with the public with the possibility of remaining in Phase 1 for a number of months.
- City Hall
- Payments can be placed in the secure, silver drop box located outside of City Hall/Police Department or mailed to City Hall, 710 S. Janesville Street. You can also make payments online (www.milton-wi.gov/MakeAPayment).
- If a community member needs to pay a bill in cash, please place the payment in the secure, silver drop box and call City Hall at (608) 868-6900 ext. 1 to notify staff.
- Documentation you need to provide to the City can be placed in the secure, silver drop box outside of City Hall.
- Milton Police Department
- All requests for records will be emailed or mailed. If a physical copy needs to be collected from the department, special arrangements will be made.
- Police officers will continue to respond to calls for service. However, in order to both maintain the health of our staff and to prevent potential spread of the virus in the community, officers are going handle as many calls as possible without coming into physical contact with others. Any calls that they can manage by phone, email, or a combination of the two will help to keep all of us healthy. If you need to contact a police officer, please call the non-emergency number at (608) 757-2244. Call 911 if there is an emergency, and you need an officer to respond.
- Public Works Department
- The Public Works Department will continue to perform essential services for the community, including, but not limited to, maintaining the City’s water and wastewater infrastructure. Staff are working staggered schedules to help prevent exposure among staff members.
- If you need a building permit, contact the Public Works Department at (608) 868-6914 or (608) 931-8025 or email Administrative Assistant Brenda Mathews at bmathews@milton-wi.gov.
- Refuse and recycling collection will continue as scheduled. Refuse and recycling collection is considered an essential service. If there are any changes to the collection schedule, we will notify residents on our website and social media. The collection schedule is available on the City’s website (www.milton-wi.gov/CollectionSchedule).
- Milton Public Library
- The library will return to curbside pickup and computer access will be available by appointment only. There will be no browsing of books or materials.
- Patrons are encouraged to place holds either through the online SHARE catalog or by calling the library at (608) 868-7462.
- A limited number of one hour computer timeslots can also be reserved by phone.
- Current hours will not change – Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- The book drops will continue to be available at all times.
- The library will continue to be very active online with virtual programming and online videos.
- Audiobooks and eBooks are always accessible through Hoopla and Libby (powered by Overdrive).
- For more information on the services listed above or others, please call the library or visit the library's website at www.miltonpubliclibrary.org.
- Municipal Court
- Payments can be placed in the secure, silver drop box located outside of City Hall/Police Department or mailed to Milton Municipal Court, 690 S. Janesville Street. You can also make payments online (www.milton-wi.gov/MakeAPayment) or by calling (866) 917-7368.
- Service will be provided through phone calls, mail, or email.
- Court hearings are by phone only at this time per the Chief Judge.
Additional information from Rock County Public Health Department is available on their website (https://www.co.rock.wi.us/publichealth) and the Rock County Coronavirus Response and Recovery Hub (https://coronavirus-response-rockcountylio.hub.arcgis.com/). The City of Milton also has a COVID-19 resource page on the City’s website (www.milton-wi.gov/COVID19).
For media inquiries, please contact City Administrator Al Hulick at (608) 868-6900 ext. 6 or by e-mail at ahulick@milton-wi.gov.