Westmoreland council advances budget and tax-rate on first readings, defers zoning hearing and approves pay, bid awards

The Westmoreland City Council on Monday advanced the city’s 2026–2027 budget and a 0.83 tax rate on unanimous first readings, deferred a zoning ordinance second reading to allow a required public hearing, approved payment tied to a wastewater certification, and awarded a construction contract for a filter box.

Councilman Calvert moved and Councilman Staples seconded the first reading of ordinance 042026-1, the proposed 2026–2027 budget; the motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote. The council also approved the first reading of ordinance 042026-2, which sets the 2026–2027 tax rate at 0.83 — the same rate cited by council members as last year — on a separate unanimous first-reading vote.

Council members withdrew a pending vote on ordinance 0102025-1, a zoning amendment that would add residential and industrial zoning districts under the city’s architectural compatibility standards, after members noted the ordinance had not been advertised for a required public hearing. Vice Mayor Jones moved to defer the second reading and the council referred the item to the May work session or a special meeting so the public hearing can be advertised and held.

The council approved payment connected with Aaron Sizemore’s wastewater certification after discussing the mathematics of weekly pay (a figure of $682.50 per week was cited) that was totaled in discussion to $35,490. Councilman Staples moved to approve the payment; the roll-call vote recorded Calvert, Brown, Orders, Staples and Jones as voting yes.

Following a bid opening at a prior work study, staff recommended awarding the filter-box construction contract to Standard Construction. Councilman Jones moved to award the contract and the council approved the award on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Council members also discussed a request related to water and sewer tap fees for a new “A60” building. Council discussed tap sizes (a 2-inch and a 6-inch fire-flow tap were mentioned), with the contractor possibly performing the larger tap. Council members discussed waiving the fee for the larger fire-flow tap while charging the applicant for supplies on the smaller tap; supplies were estimated in discussion to be about $2,500–$3,000 and one speaker stated “It is $2,500.” The council moved to defer the item so staff can confirm exact tap sizes and costs and to consider the matter at a May work-study or special called meeting.

Other routine business included deferring the March financial statement to next month, approving the March 19, 2026 minutes, approving the mayor’s mileage reimbursement for March (69 miles) and adjourning the meeting.

Votes at a glance
- Adopt agenda with tap-fees addendum: approved (voice/raise-of-hand).
- Defer March financial statement: approved (voice).
- Approve minutes (3/19/2026): approved (unanimous).
- Defer ordinance 0102025-1 (zoning second reading) to advertised public hearing at work session/special meeting: passed (roll call recorded as unanimous).
- Approve payment for Aaron Sizemore (wastewater certification): passed (roll call recorded: Calvert Yes; Brown Yes; Orders Yes; Staples Yes; Jones Yes).
- First reading: ordinance 042026-1 (2026–2027 budget): passed first reading (roll call recorded unanimous).
- First reading: ordinance 042026-2 (2026–2027 tax rate 0.83): passed first reading (roll call recorded unanimous).
- Award filter-box contract to Standard Construction: passed (roll call recorded unanimous).
- Defer water/sewer tap-fee decision for A60 building to May work-study/special meeting: passed (voice).
- Approve mayoral mileage reimbursement for March (69 mi): passed (voice).

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. and adjourned after the final motions; council members directed staff to follow up on the zoning-advertisement requirement and to confirm tap sizes and supply costs ahead of the May meeting.