The Fairfield City Council met in regular session last (Tuesday) night at Fairfield City Hall.
The council approved the minutes from the July 23rd meeting and the bills submitted since the last council meeting.
The council discussed and approved an ordinance adding a clawback clause to redevelopment agreements. This clause would require businesses that receive funds through programs like TIF or business tax incentives to repay the funds if they cease operations or sell the business within two years of receiving the funds.
The council approved the annual airport maintenance agreement with Albion Radio Communication for the same cost as the previous year, which was $9,780.
The council approved multiple street closure requests, including for the Fall Fun Fest, a downtown trick-or-treating event on October 31st, and the FCHS Homecoming parade.
The council set the date for the city’s fireworks display for Thursday, July 3rd, 2025, to avoid conflicting with nearby towns’ displays.
The council discussed seeking bids for the demolition of two properties that have been declared dangerous and for which the city has obtained court judgments on two houses, one on NW 5th St and the other on Walker St. and provide the bids to the council by the first meeting in September. The council also discussed options for the old power plant building and the water filtration plant east of Fairfield at the Little Wabash River, including potentially scrapping materials before demolition.
Financial reports were presented by Mayor Gary Moore showing total expenses of $1,610,737 and revenues of $1,637,929 for July, resulting in a positive cash flow of $27,192. Year-to-date expenses were $4,654,986, revenues were $4,746,772, and net income was $91,786. However, cash flow was negative year-to-date, partly due to a $200,000 payment to Midwest Food Bank.
The city is working with Stone and Wagner to apply for a grant to replace water lines in the southwest part of Fairfield. Residents in that area need to complete anonymous income surveys by August 31st to help the city qualify for the grant, which could be worth between $500,000 and $700,000. Those surveys should be in the mail in the next few days.
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