City Council
Jan 5, 2026
The lede
- Council unanimously approved two property replats in the Deer Woods II subdivision, combining adjacent lots to facilitate construction
- A budget amendment for fiscal year 2026 received first reading, increasing salaries for Public Works positions to improve recruitment and retention
- Council referred a proposed IT services contract with Petry Design back to committee for further review at the January 26 meeting
- Council appointed Clark Baird Smith LLP attorney Ben Gerht as outside counsel for collective bargaining matters
Decisions & votes
Passed (10-0): Ordinance #748H approving replat of Lots 5 and 6 of Deer Woods II subdivision (combining two lots into one at 5098 Tuneberg Parkway to allow for a residence addition)
Passed (10-0): Ordinance #749H approving replat of Lots 34 and 35 of Deer Woods II subdivision (combining two undeveloped lots to eliminate interior setback issues)
Passed (10-0): Motion to refer Petry Design IT services proposal back to Committee of the Whole for the January 26, 2026 meeting. Mayor Morris indicated he has outstanding questions requiring answers before proceeding.
Passed (10-0): Motion to appoint Clark Baird Smith LLP, Ben Gerht as outside counsel for collective bargaining matters
First reading only: Ordinance #750H revising the FY 2026 budget (no vote taken)
Discussion items
Mayor Morris requested the IT services proposal be sent back to committee, stating he has “a question or two” he’d like answered before moving forward. He indicated he believes the answers “will certainly make this…I can explain it” and that rushing would likely result in another delay. No specifics about the questions were disclosed publicly.
The IT proposal from Petry Design involves comprehensive network management, equipment upgrades, email migration to Microsoft 365 Government, and support across six city locations.
Financial / operational notes
Budget Amendment (Ordinance #750H, first reading): Proposes salary increases for two Public Works positions:
- Assistant Public Works Director: from $78,280 to $114,000 (45.6% increase)
- Street/Water/Sewer Superintendent: from $92,451.91 to $106,000 (14.7% increase)
The increases are intended to attract and retain qualified individuals, with the Council finding sufficient funds available in the current fiscal year.
IT Services Proposal (referred back to committee): The Petry Design proposal includes estimated costs of $13,000-$16,000/month for the first 15 months (implementation period), then approximately $10,000/month ongoing, not to exceed $117,500 annually. Services include network management across six city locations, email migration, equipment upgrades, phone system changeover, and comprehensive IT support.
Public comment
No content.
Notable moments
The meeting was exceptionally brief, adjourning at 6:12 p.m. after just 12 minutes.
Mayor Morris’s invocation included prayers for military servicemembers, veterans, and first responders, asking for “patience, compassion, understanding, wisdom, strength, and courage” in conducting city business.
There was a light moment during roll call voting when the Mayor joked, “Did Alderman Hoynes vote twice?” after Alderman Hoiness appeared to respond during the roll call.