Stilwell City Council approves consent agenda, schedules budget hearing and tables sick-leave proposal

Mayor Jean Ann Wright called the City of Stilwell Council to order at 5:38 p.m. Monday and noted the city’s Strawberry Festival week, saying, "We started with a dessert contest today with 23 entries and they were all wonderful." The meeting included the swearing-in announcement for Ward I Councilmember Coye Nettles and Ward IV Councilmember Jim Spray and a routine roll call.

The council approved a broad consent agenda covering minutes, blanket purchase orders totaling $70,806, claims across multiple funds, and April payroll of $271,479.48. Council also voted to retain Crawford & Associates to compile the city’s FY 2024–25 financial statements, re-authorize current bank signatories, and rename Department 20 from "Ambulance" to "EMS Services." The council approved a South 3rd Street drainage project for $118,000 with $75,000 to be reimbursed by REAP 2024 and a required budget adjustment of $43,000.

On old business, the council approved a dispatching agreement with Adair County 911 at $13,750 per month (annual total $165,000) with an amendment specifying the agreement would take effect when the county’s 911 center is operational. Council elected Barrett Harris as council president. The council made several appointments, including Larry Nettles as alternate to the Eastern Oklahoma Development District and appointed Coye Nettles to the ACEMS Trust Authority Board (the ACEMS appointment passed 3–1, with Councilmember Jim Spray recorded as opposed).

Council approved continuing with the current city health insurance provider and adding city-paid short-term disability for the plan year beginning July 1, 2025. The council also voted to initiate an ordinance to consider a de-annexation request from Shiela Isaacs.

Procurement and contract actions included approval of Second Street Project Change Order #1 to Cook's Consulting, LLC for $26,640, a motion to solicit audit services for FY 2024–25, and an interpretation that the $5 monthly ambulance fee in Ordinance #385-2024-B is intended to be billed per customer rather than per account. The council re-confirmed the mayoral appointment of Kelly Funburg to the Stilwell Municipal Utility Board/Stilwell Area Development Authority Board Position #2 through May 31, 2030.

On personnel policy matters, the council tabled proposed changes to Article Eight (Sick Leave), which included revised accrual caps and payout language, and approved proposed changes to Article Seven (Compensation Plan) affecting paydays and payroll distribution. The sick-leave revisions were tabled by unanimous recorded motion; pay-schedule changes were approved.

The council scheduled a public hearing with the Stilwell Improvement Authority on the proposed FY2025–26 budgets for 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 2, 2025. The council entered executive session under Oklahoma law at 7:09 p.m. and returned at 8:14 p.m., with the city clerk stating that items 14–17 were discussed and no action was taken. The meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Election of Barrett Harris as council president: unanimous (4–0). - Appointment of Coye Nettles to ACEMS Trust Authority Board: carried 3–1 (Jim Spray opposed). - Dispatching Agreement with Adair County 911: approved 4–0 (effective upon 911 center opening). - South 3rd Street drainage project funding: approved 4–0. - Second Street Project Change Order #1 to Cook's Consulting, LLC ($26,640): approved 4–0. - Table sick-leave policy changes: motion to table carried 4–0. - Compensation/payday changes: approved 4–0.

The council’s next scheduled action on the city budget will occur June 2, 2025, when a public hearing is planned in conjunction with the Stilwell Improvement Authority; several personnel and policy items will return to future agendas for further action.