Council adopts advertised 2026 budget form, park appropriation and 2026 salary ordinance; minutes and claims approved
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Summary
The Westfield Common Council approved the advertised 2026 budget form, an additional parks-district appropriation and the 2026 salary ordinance at its October meeting, and passed routine items including minutes and claims.
The Westfield Common Council approved several routine and fiscal items during its October meeting, including the advertised 2026 budget form, a parks-district appropriation and the 2026 salary ordinance.
The meeting opened with approval of minutes from the Oct. 13, 2025, meeting and approval of claims. Council President Patrick Tam called for a motion to approve the minutes; the motion, made by Councilor Waniger and seconded by Councilor Victor McCarty, passed by roll call vote 5–0. A subsequent motion to approve claims, made by Councilor McCarty and seconded by Councilor Waniger, also passed 5–0.
Why it matters: Approving the minutes and paying claims are required procedural steps that keep city business current and allow the council to move into substantive agenda items.
The council next took up Ordinance 25-60, described by staff as the advertised 2026 budget form (Form 4). President Tam said the action would rescind prior actions that reduced the advertised budget and that cutting the advertised budget could have “various financial repercussions” including risking the Department of Local Government Finance denying the city’s excess levy appeal. Tam moved to adopt Ordinance 25-60 “as advertised and presented at the 10/13/2025 council meeting and rescind prior actions to the contrary”; Councilor Noah Herron seconded. The roll call vote was Victor McCarty — yes; Patrick Tam — yes; Kurt Wanninger — yes; Joe Depner — yes; Noah Herron — yes. Motion carries 5–0.
At the next old-business item, Chris McConnell, director of Parks and Recreation, summarized Ordinance 25-65, an additional appropriation from the operating balance of the Park District Bond 2024 fund to pay for Simon Moon Phase 2. The council opened and immediately closed the required public hearing and, on motion by Councilor Waniger seconded by Councilor McCarty, approved the appropriation by roll call vote 5–0.
The council considered the 2026 salary ordinance (Ordinance 25-63) as old business. After discussion about minor title changes and timing of posting, Councilor Waniger moved to approve the ordinance as presented with amendments; Councilor Herron seconded. The roll call produced a 4–1 result: Joe Depner — yes; Noah Herron — yes; Victor McCarty — no; Patrick Tam — yes; Kurt Wanninger — yes. The motion carried 4–1.
What the council did not finalize tonight: Ordinance 25-64 (the elected-officials 2025 salary ordinance, which includes discussion about vehicle stipends) was discussed at length and tabled for further consideration at the Nov. 10 meeting.
Actions recorded: - Approval of minutes (motion by Councilor Waniger; second by Councilor McCarty). Outcome: approved, roll call 5–0. - Approval of claims (motion by Councilor McCarty; second by Councilor Waniger). Outcome: approved, roll call 5–0. - Ordinance 25-60 (2026 budget Form 4) — move to approve as advertised and rescind prior contrary actions (motion by President Patrick Tam; second by Councilor Noah Herron). Outcome: approved, roll call 5–0. - Ordinance 25-65 (additional appropriation from Park District Bond 2024 fund) — motion by Councilor Waniger; second by Councilor McCarty. Outcome: approved, roll call 5–0. - Ordinance 25-63 (2026 salary ordinance, as amended) — motion by Councilor Waniger; second by Councilor Herron. Outcome: approved, roll call 4–1 (Victor McCarty voted no).
Next steps: Items requiring public hearings or additional documentation (the elected-officials salary ordinance and several ordinance updates) were scheduled for further consideration at the council’s Nov. 10 meeting.
