Westfield council adopts 2026 budget, approves annexations and incentives; amends out vehicle stipends
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Summary
The Westfield City Council on Oct. 13 adopted the 2026 city budget after amending out $15,000 in vehicle stipends and approved a slate of ordinances and resolutions including annexations, a tax abatement, and new police funds. Most measures passed on unanimous council votes.
The Westfield City Council adopted the city's 2026 budget on Oct. 13 after approving an amendment to remove $15,000 in vehicle stipend payments from the proposed salary lines and then passing the amended budget by a 6-0 vote.
The amendment removing the stipends was made by Councilor Kurt Waniger and seconded by Councilor Patrick Tam; the amendment passed 4-2. After that change, the council voted 6-0 to adopt Ordinance 25-60, the 2026 city budget.
Why this matters: The budget frames municipal spending for public safety, capital projects and other services. Council and administration said they are preserving reserves while advancing multi-year infrastructure work. The amendment to remove the vehicle allowances was the only substantive change made by the council during final budget adoption.
Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (roll call): Motion carried 6-0. - Claims docket (approval): Motion carried 6-0. - Ordinance 25-62, Westfield Washington Public Library 2026 budget: Approved 6-0. Mover: Councilor Kurt Waniger; Second: Councilor Victor McCarty. - Ordinance 25-46, Lantern Commons PUD amendment (mixed-use development at 160th St. & Westfield Boulevard): Approved 6-0. Presented by Lauren Gillingham Teague, Community Development. - Ordinance 25-47, Grand Junction Overlay District (UDO amendment for downtown overlays): Approved 6-0. - Resolution 25-149 and Ordinance 25-53, Trillium annexation and fiscal plan (approx. 37 acres near 190th & Monon): Approved 6-0. - Resolution 25-152 and Ordinance 25-59, East Street & 190th Street annexation and fiscal plan (approx. 19.2 acres): Approved 6-0. - Ordinance 25-57, Fund 272 (Police vehicle replacement fund): Approved 6-0. - Ordinance 25-58, Fund 245 (Police event/nonreverting fund): Approved 6-0. - Ordinance 25-60, 2026 City Budget (as amended): Approved 6-0. - Resolution 25-154, three-year growth levy appeal (SEA 1 era): Approved 6-0. Administration estimated the appeal would recover roughly $4.8 million in additional levy capacity. - Resolution 25-155, property tax-rate guidance for 2026: Approved 6-0. - Resolution 25-156, Patch Northpointe LLC real property tax abatement (speculative 80,000 sq. ft. industrial flex building; proposed 7-year abatement stepping down 10% annually): Approved 6-0.
Introductions (no adoption vote this evening) - Ordinance 25-63, 2026 non-elected salary ordinance (introduced). - Ordinance 25-64, 2026 elected officials salary ordinance (introduced; administration/legal to amend text where needed before second reading). - Ordinance 25-65, additional appropriation from the Parks District Bond Fund 340 (introduction for Simon Moon project; public hearing at next meeting).
What the council said - Danielle Carey Tolan, deputy mayor, summarized timing constraints: "The budget was posted Sept. 10... This aligns with the timeline mandated by the state. Any delay from this point would put us our backs against the wall in terms of hitting those statutory requirements." (Deputy Mayor Danielle Carey Tolan) - Councilor Kurt Waniger moved the vehicle-stipend amendment. After roll call the amendment passed 4-2; the council then approved the overall budget 6-0.
Process and next steps Most items approved tonight were eligible for adoption at introduction because they were resolutions or had completed prior hearings. Ordinances introduced without adoption will return for second reading and final vote on future agendas. The council also directed administration and legal staff to finalize text edits in the elected salary ordinance before second reading.
For transparency, the record shows the council used roll-call voting for each motion; most recorded tallies were 6-0. The vehicle-stipend amendment recorded four "yes" votes and two "no" votes.
Ending note With the budget adopted and several development- and growth-related measures approved, the city moves into the 2026 fiscal year with planned capital spending and additional items (annexations, a tax abatement and new fund structures) intended to support infrastructure and economic development.
