The plan’s final phases will include a telephone survey of residents and should be completed in the coming weeks, likely by the end of February, Stalder said.
While the district’s board has been briefed by the consulting firm producing the plan, Stalder said he doesn’t know what to expect. But he expressed confidence in positive results.
“I’m thinking it will be all positive,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a key component on the future decisions of the board.
“The board and the chief and the all of the employees have all done a really great job. So, I think the taxpayers will be well pleased with what we’ve accomplished.”
Others in the city and township have expressed similar sentiments.
Early projections for the district showed that its budget surplus would not last five years, said Miami Twp. Board of Trustees President Doug Barry, a former member of the MVFD board.
The health of the $8.7 million budget approved for the district for the coming year is one indicator MVFD Chief Matthew Queen has “done a fantastic job” while not sacrificing customer satisfaction, said Miamisburg City Manager Keith Johnson.
“Our residents and the township’s residents, overall, they’re happy with the service,” he said.
Johnson has said the joint venture has saved funds the city has been able to direct for other services.
The district started with about 100 employees because the staffs of both jurisdictions’ fire departments were guaranteed a job, Miamisburg Mayor Dick Church Jr. said.
With retirements and other departures, the staff now is about 65, accounting for about $6.9 million of next year’s budget, Queen said.
The district is funded through a Miamisburg levy, money from the city's general fund and two Miami Twp. levies, with both township issues renewed by voters since the merged operations, officials said.
The district has built a new fire station on Wood Road in the township with plans to build the next one in the city, Stalder said.
Once the strategic plan is complete, Johnson said he thinks the district board will seek a joint meeting with township trustees and city council.
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