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Wakarusa council unanimously approves annexation, salary ordinance and multiple project payments
Summary
At its June 2 meeting, the Wakarusa Town Council unanimously approved the CW Fiscal Plan South and West annexation, passed Ordinance 2026-3 (salary amendment), certified RDC tax increment replacement, authorized several large pay applications for water and lift station projects, advanced park courts to design phase, and approved equipment purchases and staffing actions.
WAKARUSA — The Wakarusa Town Council on June 2 unanimously approved a set of routine and project-related actions that advance infrastructure work and staffing plans for the town.
Council President Carl Gilbert called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and the council first approved the minutes from May 5, 2026. The council then voted unanimously to approve the CW Fiscal Plan South and West annexation after a motion from Councilman Phil Klotz and a second from Councilman Randall Mitschelen.
Councilman Phil Klotz moved to pass Ordinance 2026-3, a salary ordinance amendment; Councilman Mitschelen seconded and the ordinance was adopted unanimously. The council also approved a Regional Development Commission (RDC) Certification Regarding Tax Increment Replacement on a motion from Councilwoman Annette Brown and a second from Councilman Rocco Rigsby.
Several pay applications for water and lift station work were approved. Councilman Randall Mitschelen moved to approve Pay Application #21 to DLZ for $42,328.75 related to the Water Treatment Plant; Councilman Phil Klotz seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Councilman Klotz moved to approve Pay Application #19 to R. Yoder Construction for $455,245.06 for the Water Treatment Plant; Councilwoman Annette Brown seconded and the payment was approved. Pay Application #17 to DLZ for $3,511.25 and Pay Application #7 to Rieth-Riley Construction for $272,658.14, both tied to the Keystone Lift Station project, were also approved after motions from Brown and Mitschelen, respectively.
On property and equipment matters, Councilman Klotz moved that Public Director Mikel proceed with a petition to abandon the alley between 311 High Street and 467 S Indiana Avenue and authorized Council President Gilbert to sign the petition; Councilman Mitschelen seconded and council approved the action. The council also authorized the purchase of a Kubota RTV from Riggs Outdoor Power Equipment through Sourcewell for $17,991.22 on a motion from Klotz and a second from Mitschelen.
Personnel actions included a motion by Councilman Klotz, seconded by Mitschelen, directing Public Works Director Mikel to advertise for a full-time Public Works Operator and to reevaluate the part-time Public Works position when staffing returns. Councilwoman Brown moved, and Councilman Klotz seconded, approval of a $2,700 clothing allowance for Police Reserve Officers; that motion passed unanimously.
On parks and recreation, Councilman Rocco Rigsby moved to advance the Wakarusa Athletic Complex pickleball and basketball courts project to the design scope and pricing phase based on proposals from R. Yoder Construction and JBK; Councilwoman Brown seconded and the council approved advancement to design and pricing.
The council concluded by approving claims and adjourning the meeting. The board noted its next work session is scheduled for July 6, 2026, with the next council meeting on July 7, 2026.
The article is based on the June 2, 2026 Wakarusa Town Council meeting minutes and votes as recorded in the meeting transcript.
