Stilwell City Council approves ordinances, budget moves, donations and personnel actions

The Stilwell City Council on July 6 approved a series of budget adjustments, two ordinances and several personnel and contract items, including acceptance of a $58,200 donation from the Cherokee Nation for soccer field lights.

Mayor Jean Ann Wright presided over the meeting, at which council members unanimously adopted Ordinance #385-2026, updating the city permit and fee schedule and revising pavilion reservation fees at Adair Park. Council also adopted Ordinance 309 I-A, establishing city water, sewer and electric rates with scheduled increases through July 1, 2029; both ordinances included emergency clauses making them effective immediately.

The council approved multiple consent-agenda financial items including blanket purchase orders, payroll totaling $275,334.96 for June, transfers to establish a Health Fund (Fund 22) and payments related to the City Hall USDA loan. The council also approved procurement items: purchase of cemetery mowers, a 2025 Ford Interceptor for police fleet, a Case 580sn backhoe (state bid), and a budgeted transfer of $200,000 to the Fleet Management Fund.

Council accepted a Cherokee Nation donation of $58,200 to pay for lights at the soccer fields at Edna M. Carson Park and adjusted the Capital Improvement revenue and Sports Facilities expense budgets accordingly. The council awarded a pest-control contract to 4-D Pest Control for inside and outside building services and approved contracting with Mike Green as auditor for the FY 2025-2026 audit.

In personnel and governance actions following executive session, the council approved changing the Court Clerk job title to Court Clerk/Open Records Clerk and adopted the corresponding job description effective July 7, 2026; approved the termination of employee Tyler Rinehart (action recorded); added Remington Campbell and Brinley Rinehart as probationary members of the Stilwell Volunteer Fire Department; and approved the FOP contract for 2026-2027. The council also confirmed Tristan Philpott to Position #3 on the Stilwell Municipal Utility Board/Stilwell Area Development Authority, effective July 6, 2026.

Votes at a glance: the principal motions recorded in the meeting were carried unanimously where tallies were given (Coye Nettles, Barrett Harris, Debbie Johnson, Jim Spray and Lane Kindle voting yes on recorded 5-0 outcomes). Where specific items were tabled or left without action, the minutes note those outcomes. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Why it matters: The ordinances reset fees and utility rates that affect households and businesses in Stilwell, the Cherokee Nation donation will fund park improvements, and the personnel and contract approvals move several city operations forward without delay.