West Fork City Council swears in four aldermen, adopts procedural rules and emergency purchasing ordinance, and approves animal-shelter contract

The West Fork City Council swore in four aldermen and moved quickly through routine and substantive business, approving procedural rules, midyear budget adjustments, a county animal-shelter contract and an emergency procurement ordinance.

Mayor (unnamed) began the meeting by administering the oath of office to Jeff Upton, Anthony Foster, Don Rollins and Jan Throgmorton, each reciting the oath to support the U.S. and state constitutions and to ‘‘faithfully discharge the duties of the office of alderman.’’ The council then adopted the published meeting agenda and approved the Dec. 10 minutes with one minor correction.

In new business the council considered Resolution 2025-01, the city’s annual procedural rules. The council discussed provisions including a clause that a member who misses or leaves a meeting will not be paid. After discussion the council voted to adopt the procedural rules by voice vote.

The council then approved Resolution 2025-02 adopting adjustments to the 2024 budget. Finance staff presented year-end figures and said the city ended the fiscal year with bank balances down roughly $262,000, driven primarily by large one-time purchases; the council voted to accept the adjustments as presented.

Council members approved the 2025 contract for services with the Washington County Animal Shelter. The contract change highlighted at the meeting states that animals held for court cases will incur a $10 per day charge unless the owner retrieves the animal, a change council members noted applies to city cases; the motion to approve passed unanimously.

Members also passed Ordinance 225-5228, an amendment to Chapter 3.04 (Purchases) of the West Fork municipal code that raises the city purchasing amount and included an emergency clause so the ordinance took effect immediately. The mayor noted the emergency clause while explaining the ordinance; the roll-call vote recorded all present council members voting yes.

Before adjournment the mayor noted several community events and routine follow-ups. The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to adjourn.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution 2025-01 (procedural rules): passed (voice vote). - Resolution 2025-02 (2024 budget adjustments): passed (voice vote). - Washington County Animal Shelter contract (2025): passed (motion seconded; voice vote). - Ordinance 225-5228 (amend purchasing threshold; emergency clause): passed (roll-call: Misty CLE yes; Jeff Upton yes; Jan Throgmorton yes; Marty Linderberry yes; John Collins yes; Dina McNight yes; Don Rollins yes; Anthony Foster yes).

Next steps: approved items requiring formal adoption or publication will be posted to city records; any sale or development decisions (for example, a Homestead parcel discussed later in the meeting) were reserved for future council action.