Winfield approves $2.2M borrowing for infrastructure, hires two part‑time officers and OKs evidence‑tracking upgrade

The Winfield City Council voted to authorize a $2.2 million borrowing resolution to pay for water, sewer and road infrastructure, approved hiring two part‑time police officers and agreed to a one‑time purchase of in‑house evidence‑tracking software at its meeting on July 15, 2025.

Council members said the borrowing will cover a mix of water and sewer improvements and road work in the area near Sheldon Drive and the Pilot travel center. Council discussion cited three bank bids: First State Bank (2,200,000 loan, 12‑month term, APR 5.89% including fees), a second bid from Assistant Bank of Winfield (5.6% with no bank fees) and a State Bank Trust bid at 4.65% with no bank fees. Council members recommended and approved moving forward with the borrowing resolution; the council recorded the vote as “all in favor.”

The council also voted to hire two part‑time police officers, identified in the meeting as Charles Tewell, described as having about 20 years of law enforcement experience, and Jesse Finch, described as having about seven years. A city representative requested the hires to help fill current staffing shortfalls and asked the council to approve their part‑time employment; the council approved the request.

On technology, the council agreed to replace the department’s current cloud‑based evidence‑logging subscription, which the city was paying about $1,538 per year, with an in‑house system that requires a one‑time upgrade cost of $4,053. Staff told the council the upfront payment would eliminate the recurring annual subscription fee and give the department local control of evidence storage; council members voted to proceed.

Other formal actions taken during the meeting included accepting a bid for a used grass‑cutting machine and approving routine minutes. Bids for the mower included a $200 offer from Dwayne Norris and a second offer of $67.50; council members moved to accept the $200 bid and the motion was approved.

Council discussion items without formal votes included ongoing concerns about abandoned residential properties and the process for complaints and enforcement; updates on a planned grant application to pave roads inside a Housing Authority development (council said the grant match may be about 10%–15%); and project updates on road expansion, addressing a high‑pressure gas line near U.S. 129, and site work for new lots. Council members also discussed a recent fire that affected concession‑stand equipment and said staff had contacted the insurer and were compiling inventory of losses.

Council members discussed whether the city should require a multi‑year service agreement when the city funds police academy training and equipment for recruits. Members referenced a state statute that allows reimbursement in specific interdepartmental training cases but said the statute’s remedy is limited; council members asked staff to study a contract that would require a longer local service commitment (one council member suggested five years) to allow the city to recoup training and equipment costs if a newly trained officer left the city shortly after certification.

City staff warned that health insurance premiums (Blue Cross Blue Shield) were rising faster than typical budget assumptions and that a draft budget would be presented at the next meeting for council review; staff said they were modeling scenarios, including a near‑10% premium increase. Members set a target to review a rough budget draft at the next meeting and to finalize the budget for submission in September.

A member reported that the courthouse courtroom renovation is essentially complete pending replacement of glass that arrived cut incorrectly; staff said the glass has been reordered and that move of court operations will occur after reinstallation. The council voted to enter an executive session to discuss a personnel‑character matter and stated they would take no action on that matter when they returned to open session.

Votes at a glance • Borrowing resolution to authorize $2,200,000 for water, sewer and road infrastructure — approved (council recorded vote: “all in favor”); selected State Bank Trust bid at 4.65% with no bank fees. • Hire two part‑time police officers (Charles Tewell and Jesse Finch) — approved. • Evidence logging software: approve one‑time in‑house upgrade ($4,053) to replace $1,538 yearly subscription — approved. • Accept bid of $200 from Dwayne Norris for grass‑cutting mower — approved. • Approve minutes for July 15, 2025 council meeting — approved.

The council scheduled follow‑up on the budget, the proposed police training service agreement, and grant applications for paving at a future meeting.