Coshocton Mayor Mark Mills delivered his State of the City Address during the city council meeting held Feb . 18 .

Good evening , President Hilgenberg , city council members , and all those in attendance including residents following along through local media . Thank you for your commitment to our city and for the opportunity to address you tonight . It is an honor to lead this great community and to provide an update on the progress we have made over the past year , as well as a glimpse into the exciting developments ahead in 2025 .

2024 : Progress You Can See , Commitment You Can Trust

I want to begin by expressing my deep appreciation for my administrative team — Max Crown , Bob Beaumont and Shanna Stanton — for their dedication to addressing daily challenges while also planning for our city ’ s future . My gratitude also extends to our directors , supervisors and employees who work tirelessly to serve our residents and ensure the highest level of service . A special thank you to my parents , Ginger and my sons for their unwavering support . A heartfelt thanks to my father for his commitment to keeping our streetlights maintained .

I am pleased to report our general fund ended the year with a $ 2.7 million surplus , an increase from $ 1.5 million in 2023 . This achievement reflects the responsible fiscal management of our auditors , my administration and department

heads , ensuring taxpayer dollars are utilized effectively . I would also like to extend my appreciation to SPP for their advocacy in securing more than $ 20 million in state and federal funding , supporting initiatives ranging from water regionalization to outdoor recreation .

Public and private projects in 2024 totaled more than $ 100 million including the opening of a new jail and EMS station , both primarily funded through state resources . The nearly completed Coshocton Collaborative downtown is a testament to our continued investment in revitalization . Additionally , Mc- Wane Poles invested $ 50 million in expansion , and Columbia Gas completed a significant facility investment on Clow Lane .

Looking ahead , 2025 will bring numerous infrastructure projects , with water regionalization as a top priority . This initiative will extend water service to the Village of Warsaw , with nearly full funding from our state and federal partners . The Chestnut Street waterline replacement is on track for completion by late spring . Preliminary engineering has begun to extend water and sewer infrastructure to the former AEP site in Conesville , and we look forward to working alongside our partners

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Coshocton Mayor Mark Mills delivered his State of the City Address during the city council meeting held Feb . 18 .

at the Frontier Group to develop this 500-acre site and attract new jobs to the area . Additionally , new developments in the north corridor include Crossroads Baptist Church and The HomeStead of Coshocton . Exciting changes are also coming to the heart of our city . The Courthouse Square will soon feature a Veterans Memorial Park , which will transform into an ice-skating rink during the winter months . This initiative , made possible through state funding and the dedicated efforts of the commissioners ’ office , will provide a year-round space for community gathering and recreation .

Hall Park is set to receive $ 100,000 in improvements , funded in partnership with

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the Coshocton County Board of Developmental Disabilities . Infrastructure improvements will continue with traffic signal upgrades on Second Street , funded by ODOT . Additional state funding through House Bill 2 will support cemetery paving , new pickleball courts , and upgrades to our water and wastewater facilities , as well as a fire training facility . This $ 2 million allocation marks the largest single grant award our city has received from the State of Ohio .

We remain committed to downtown revitalization and securing funding for the completion of the historic Pastime Theater . Our administration will continue efforts to beautify Coshocton , and I want to personally commend property code deputy Mark Sharrock for his work in addressing blighted properties , ensuring yards are maintained and removing hundreds of abandoned vehicles . I also want to recognize and thank 98 % of the residents who take pride in their homes and neighborhoods without being asked .

Coshocton ’ s real estate market is thriving , with new homes being built on vacant lots and both local and out-of-town investors breathing new life into properties . A highlight of this momentum is the

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