Whitehouse council adopts surplus-property resolution, approves festival and appointment

The Village of Whitehouse Council on Jan. 20, 2026, adopted Resolution 01-2026 declaring certain miscellaneous personal property surplus and approved several routine community items.

On a third-reading roll-call vote, council adopted Resolution 01-2026 (surplus property) after suspending rules to permit second and third readings by title only; the vote was recorded as 6 ayes. Council also approved a request for the Great Black Swamp Festival of Races on March 28, 2026, after Police Chief Allan Baer and Fire Chief Jason Francis said they had no concerns about the event.

Mayor Rich Bingham appointed Bob Kimball to the Charter Revision Commission; the appointment was approved unanimously. Mayor Bingham also announced community events including Coffee with Mayor and Council on April 14 and the Village egg hunt on March 21.

Municipal Administrator Jordan Daugherty and Councilmember Steve Fine reported on SOPEC energy-aggregation planning: Whitehouse has joined SOPEC for electricity procurement but will wait until June to participate in the larger group procurement to seek better pricing and to prepare resident education materials. "Want to make sure residents continue to understand how this new process will work," Daugherty said.

Department heads reported routine activity: Fire Chief Jason Francis noted December statistics and a retirement; Police Chief Allan Baer reported December stats and swore in a new part-time officer; Public Works Director Mike Hill reported the second bulk drop-off and increased snow-removal hours.

The meeting concluded after an executive session on property purchase; Council reconvened and adjourned at 8:07 p.m.