Willard council records 2-2 tie on municipal boundary adjustment with Perry City

The Willard City Council deadlocked on Ordinance 2026-O1, a proposed municipal boundary adjustment with Perry City, after a contentious discussion about sewer access, road centerline language and which parcels the change would include.

The ordinance proposed moving the municipal boundary to the centerline of Perry Street from the south line of Chad Bragger’s property to the end of the street, explicitly excluding the Barker property. City staff reported that Perry City had not closed the door on the conversation but preferred a boundary-line adjustment rather than entering a new interlocal agreement for water and sewer service.

City manager (staff) summarized Perry’s response: "They aren't saying no and aren't closing the door on the conversation, but they don't have a real strong appetite for a new interlocal agreement," and said Perry saw a boundary adjustment as the cleaner path.

Council members debated plumbing and topography constraints, the engineering plat showing the proposed line and whether the center-of-road language solved address and service questions. A council member moved to adopt the ordinance and the motion was seconded. During roll call, the transcript records the following named votes: Jake — no; Rod — no; Mike — yes; Jordan — yes. The chair stated, "It's a tie vote." The council then proceeded to the next agenda item without recording the ordinance's adoption during the meeting transcript.

Why it matters: the boundary adjustment would shift municipal responsibilities and could affect which city provides water and sewer service to the affected properties; council members noted possible long-term financial impacts tied to where infrastructure and impact fees would accrue.

What’s next: the transcript does not record an adoption or a formal follow-up action on the ordinance; staff and council continued with the agenda.