Westfield council approves annexations, budget moves, veterans advisory council and downtown refreshment permit

The Westfield Common Council on May 26 unanimously approved multiple community development and administrative items and heard introductions for several annexations and capital projects.

The council approved the minutes from its May 11 meeting and accepted the listed claims. The chamber then voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution 26-127 and Ordinance 26-24, which implement the Town Road Crossing annexation (a voluntary annexation covering about 144 acres south of State Road 32), with motions made by Councillor Kurt Waninger and seconded by Councillor John Dart.

Council also adopted Ordinance 26-25, an additional-appropriation ordinance affecting MVH, LRS and several non-reverting funds. Danielle Carey-Tolbert, Executive Chief of Staff, presented the item; the roll-call vote was 5-0 (motion by Councillor Victor McCardy; second by Councillor Kurt Waninger).

The council unanimously adopted Resolution 26-132 to establish an Advisory Council on Veterans Affairs, which the mayor described as a codified, volunteer advisory body that would not require an immediate city budget in year one and would follow a similar appointment structure to the city's disability council.

The council approved Resolution 26-133 to add Sun King Brewing Company to Westfield's downtown designated outdoor refreshment area; staff indicated Exhibit A to the resolution will be updated to show Sun King on the existing map.

The meeting also included approval of an interlocal cooperation agreement (Resolution 26-138) with Hamilton County that allows the city to take over maintenance of certain roadways in the Preserve at Cool Creek development in advance of formal annexation so construction can proceed on schedule; the county had already approved its side of the interlocal.

Separately, staff introduced Ordinance 2604 seeking an appropriation of roughly $4.38 million for capital projects remaining from 2025, with proposed uses including approximately $450,000 for repairs and upgrades at Woodward Golf Course and about $2.1 million for land acquisition; that ordinance was introduced and will return for adoption at a later meeting. The council also introduced two other voluntary annexation requests (199th & Monon Southside and a built-parcel annexation) and held and closed required public hearings; adoption for those items is scheduled for June 22.

All recorded roll-call votes taken on adoption items during the meeting were unanimous (5-0). The meeting ended after council comments and mayoral remarks about Memorial Day, census timing and redistricting.

Actions at a glance: - Approve minutes (May 11, 2026): motion Kurt Waninger; second John Dart; vote 5-0 (approved). - Approve claims: motion Victor McCardy; second Kurt Waninger; vote 5-0 (approved). - Resolution 26-127 (fiscal plan for Town Road Crossing annexation): motion Kurt Waninger; second John Dart; vote 5-0 (approved). - Ordinance 26-24 (Town Road Crossing annexation): motion Kurt Waninger; second John Dart; vote 5-0 (adopted). - Ordinance 26-25 (additional appropriation): motion Victor McCardy; second Kurt Waninger; vote 5-0 (adopted). - Resolution 26-132 (Advisory Council on Veterans Affairs): motion Kurt Waninger; second Victor McCardy; vote 5-0 (approved). - Resolution 26-133 (Sun King Brewing — downtown refreshment area): motion John Darden; second Kurt Waninger; vote 5-0 (approved). - Resolution 26-138 (interlocal with Hamilton County — Preserve at Cool Creek road maintenance): motion Kurt Waninger; second Victor McCardy; vote 5-0 (approved).