Westfield council approves annexations, fiscal plans and $26,000 ARPA stormwater allocation

Westfield City Council voted unanimously April 27 to adopt two annexation ordinances and associated fiscal plans and to reallocate roughly $26,000 from its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) COVID-recovery funds for a stormwater project.

The council approved resolution 26-117 and ordinance 2619 for the Fremont Moore annexation, an item introduced as a voluntary annexation that had received a public hearing at the council’s April 13 meeting. Staff noted the affected parcels are generally on the east side of Fremont Road and that the annexation is being completed in phases in anticipation of potential future zoning requests. The motion to adopt the resolution was moved and seconded by members recorded in the minutes; roll call votes in the meeting record show the council voted yes on the measures and the items passed on a 5-0 tally.

Kevin Todd of the Community Development Department introduced resolution 26-118 and ordinance 2620 for the Preserve at Cool Creek Phase 3 annexation, described in the meeting as a 100% voluntary annexation of about 23 acres on the east side of Grassy Branch Road. "This item before you is also a 100% volunteer annexation request for property that is called the preserve at Cool Creek," Todd told the council. Both the fiscal plan and the annexation ordinance for the Preserve at Cool Creek were adopted on unanimous roll-call votes, 5-0.

On fiscal matters, the council adopted Ordinance 2622 to appropriate approximately $26,000 from the city's remaining 2021 COVID recovery funds for a stormwater project. The treasurer stated staff had already received the required information and that the action was straightforward; the council voted 5-0 to adopt the ordinance.

Council members briefly questioned the annexation process and the legal steps that follow if the council does not act. A speaker referenced Indiana voluntary annexation law and "section five," and a staff or legal representative said more research would be required to determine next steps in an atypical situation where the council did not act on a petition.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 26-117 (Fremont Moore fiscal plan) — Motion passed 5-0 (yes votes recorded in the meeting transcript: Noah Herren; Victor Mccardi; Patrick Tam; Kurt Waninger; Joe Duffner). - Ordinance 2619 (Fremont Moore annexation) — Adopted 5-0 (votes recorded: Victor Mccardi; Patrick Tam; Winger; Joe Deer; Noah Herren). - Resolution 26-118 and Ordinance 2620 (Preserve at Cool Creek Phase 3 fiscal plan and annexation) — Adopted 5-0 (votes recorded: Kurt Waringer; Joe Deer; Noah Herren; Victor Mccardi; Patrick Tam). - Ordinance 2622 (additional appropriation from ARPA/COVID recovery funds for stormwater) — Adopted 5-0 (motion made by Councilor Mccardi; second by Councilor Wer; roll call: Joe Deer; Noah Herren; Victor Mccardi; Patrick Tam; Kurt Winger).

Why it matters Annexations change municipal service boundaries and enable future zoning and development reviews under city rules; approving fiscal plans and annexation ordinances is a procedural step that places the properties under Westfield’s jurisdiction for future permitting and land-use decisions. The ARPA appropriation repurposes remaining pandemic relief funds to a local infrastructure need (stormwater). Council discussion signaled staff may need to clarify legal pathways under Indiana’s voluntary annexation statutes if unusual post-petition scenarios arise.

What’s next Council members were informed that several agenda items had been deferred to a future meeting. The approved annexations proceed to implementation steps spelled out in the adopted ordinances; staff indicated additional follow-up on legal questions about voluntary annexation procedure may be required.