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Winfield council appoints Blake Farley as fire chief, approves loan for garbage truck and Frisco Street bridge replacement
Summary
At its Sept. 9 meeting, the Winfield City Council appointed Blake Farley to the fire chief position following a resignation, accepted a 60-month loan proposal to buy a garbage truck, and approved replacement of a wooden pedestrian bridge on Frisco Street.
Winfield — The Winfield City Council on Sept. 9 appointed Blake Farley to the fire chief position, approved a loan to finance a municipal garbage truck, and authorized replacement of a deteriorating pedestrian bridge on Frisco Street.
The council moved to appoint Farley after Alan (last name not specified) submitted his resignation from the fire department. Councilmembers voted unanimously to place Farley “in the chief’s position.” The council discussed that Alan’s last day would be either Sept. 30 or Oct. 1 (the meeting record did not specify an exact date). The motion to appoint Farley was made by Gina and seconded by Tim Hall; the council’s vote was recorded as “all in favor.”
On municipal financing, council members reviewed three bids for a five-year (60-month) loan to purchase a garbage truck or related street sanitation equipment. The bids recorded in the meeting were: - State Bank and Trust: 4.95% interest, 60 months, principal listed as $306,250, no bank fees recorded. - State Bank of the South: 4.99% interest with a $0.50 bank fee noted on the bid sheet; the meeting discussion treated that fee as increasing the effective cost to about 5.19% when the fee is included. - Citizens Bank of Winfield: 6.00% interest, no bank fees recorded.
Based on those bids, the council accepted the low proposal from State Bank and Trust. The motion to accept the low bid was made by Keith and seconded by Gina; the vote was recorded as “all in favor.” The meeting record did not show an itemized roll-call of votes or any abstentions.
The council also amended the agenda to consider a pedestrian bridge on Frisco Street, described as located between a bakery and the former Graham Bus Station. Council discussion noted the existing structure has two metal runners with wood decking and that the deck was deteriorating. A contractor estimate presented during the meeting placed a concrete bridge with handrails at about $4,800; the speaker said a wood replacement would cost roughly $3,000 but would require replacement later. The council approved proceeding with the concrete replacement; the motion to proceed was made by Keith, seconded by Tim Hall, and the vote was recorded as “all in favor.” The meeting record included measurements indicating the current bridge was about 48 inches wide.
The council also approved the minutes of its Sept. 2, 2025 meeting and approved accounts payable. Those routine items were approved by motion and recorded as “all in favor.” The meeting adjourned following those votes.
The meeting record does not specify effective dates for the loan closing, delivery timeline for the garbage truck, or a contractor timeline for the bridge replacement. It also does not provide surnames for several participants referenced by first name only (for example, “Alan” and some councilmembers).
