The Fairfield City Council met in regular session last (Tuesday) night for their monthly meeting. The swearing in of newly elected officials was the first item of business. City Attorney, Darrin Rice administered the oath of office to Mayor; Gary Moore, City Clerk; Tina Hutchcraft and Aldermen; Clifford Reever, Dewey Eckleberry and Terry Stahl. Unable to attend, Eugene McGill was sworn in earlier Tuesday.
The council approved the minutes from the April 22nd meeting and voted to pay submitted bills. A report on the fire and police pensions outlined municipal contributions, employee withholdings, and funding sources, including the use of gaming tax revenue to help meet state obligations. No vote was required for the report.
Mayor Moore also highlighted the city’s financial health, reporting a positive net income of over $513,000 for the fiscal year ending in April. “That’s a big step from where we used to be,” he noted. “Usually those numbers at this time of year have brackets around them.”
The council approved a series of appointments for key city roles, including:
City Attorney: Darrin Rice
City Treasurer: Kayla Warren
City Collector: DeElle Rogers
Zoning Officer: Doug Skaggs
Zoning Board Members: Scott Merkle & Edith Harl
Board of Fire & Police Commissioners Board: Brett Berger
Police Pension Board: Stan Phelps
Library Board: David Land, Diane Robinson, Kayla Warren (3-year term)
Recreation Committee: Tyler Lampley (3-year term)
All appointments were approved in a single motion with no objections.
Council members approved a routine interfund loan transfer resolution required for the annual audit to balance departmental budgets. They also renewed a contract with RJ Marketing for $1,200 per month, with no increase from prior years. RJ Marketing assists the city with website management, social media outreach, and economic development.
The city committed $2,500 to continue its partnership with the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission, which assists Fairfield in applying for state and federal grants.
A resolution was also passed to award $5,600 in matching grant funds to Feed My Sheep, a local nonprofit, for exterior improvements to its downtown building. The organization serves 40–45 people daily.
The council authorized advertising for the sale of a one-acre parcel of land on Southwest 10th Street, directly south of the recently constructed M-Pressions Dance Studio. The suggested minimum bid is $10,000. Mayor Moore indicated that the city has been approached by an individual wanting to construct a laundromat on the site. The council also discussed the potential for including commercial-use stipulations in the bid notice.
A new ordinance was approved giving the city authority to abate nuisance properties beyond overgrown grass, including accumulated trash or debris. The ordinance allows for notice, hearing, and—if needed—city cleanup with potential cost recovery. Officials stated the measure was aimed at addressing persistent problem properties in town.
Mayor Moore addressed concerns about uncut grass around town, citing recent heavy rainfall but promising enforcement would resume as conditions improved.
Council members discussed logistics for an upcoming community cleanup event on May 17th. While the event is primarily for Fairfield residents, officials indicated a flexible approach, noting non-residents have not typically been turned away. Mayor Moore says the hotel project on the city’s west side is moving forward. Engineers have been on site doing a topographical watershed study. A developer from St. Louis will be constructing a 4-story 70 room Comfort Inn & Suites on property just east of Williamson Drive. Mayor Moore says groundbreaking on this project should be in the near future.
The meeting adjourned with optimism about the city’s financial outlook and progress in local development.
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