Council Approves School Resource Officer Renewal and Water Main Easement

Spread the love

City Council of Casey Meeting | February 17, 2026

Article Summary: The City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Casey-Westfield School District to retain the School Resource Officer (SRO) position. Additionally, the Council secured a vital easement to proceed with a water main extension project.

Public Safety and Infrastructure Key Points:

  • SRO Renewal: Officer Jason Metzler will continue as the SRO, with the school district paying half of the salary.

  • Agreement Updates: The new agreement includes updated language regarding state-mandated training requirements.

  • Easement Secured: Ordinance #609 was approved to acquire an easement from the Simpson family for a water main crossing.

  • Project Impact: The easement allows the city to move forward with water infrastructure work across Interstate 70.

The Casey City Council on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, acted to secure both public safety and infrastructure improvements by approving a School Resource Officer (SRO) agreement and a utility easement.

The Council voted to approve an intergovernmental agreement with the Casey-Westfield School District to maintain the SRO program. Police Chief Adam Henderson confirmed that Officer Jason Metzler acts as the current SRO. The financial terms remain consistent with previous years, with the school district covering half of the officer’s salary. Chief Henderson noted the agreement was updated to reflect new state mandates regarding officer training.

On the infrastructure front, Public Works Director Ryan Staley requested approval for Ordinance #609. Staley noted the ordinance title required an amendment from “sewer extension” to “water extension.”

The ordinance authorizes the acquisition of an easement from Cindy, Kyle, and Brandon Simpson. Staley explained that this easement is critical for running a water main across Interstate 70.

“They’re the only easement we’re waiting on,” Staley said. “So really we could move forward with that portion of the project.”

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois quick hits: Northwestern president resigns; unemployment claims rise

Illinois quick hits: Northwestern president resigns; unemployment claims rise

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square U OF I Medicine investigated for antisemitism University of Illinois College of Medicine officials have until Monday, Sept. 8, to produce...
WATCH: Pritzker: Will go to court 'immediately' if Trump deploys National Guard

WATCH: Pritzker: Will go to court ‘immediately’ if Trump deploys National Guard

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he will go to court if President Donald Trump sends the National...
Illinois quick hits: Madigan attempts another appeal; prison mail scanning rules proposed

Illinois quick hits: Madigan attempts another appeal; prison mail scanning rules proposed

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Madigan attempts another appeal Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is making another attempt to stay out of prison. Madigan filed...
IL US Rep: Failing schools cost billions in 'epidemic' of poor proficiency

IL US Rep: Failing schools cost billions in ‘epidemic’ of poor proficiency

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois congresswoman says students’ failure to learn basic reading and math has major economic consequences. During...
Plaintiffs weigh steps after appeals court upholds transit concealed carry ban

Plaintiffs weigh steps after appeals court upholds transit concealed carry ban

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Plaintiffs in a case challenging the prohibition of concealed carry on Illinois mass transit are reviewing their...
IL comptroller candidate touts experience, focuses on transparency

IL comptroller candidate touts experience, focuses on transparency

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A state representative running for Illinois comptroller says she’s got the life, professional and government service experience...
WATCH: Pritzker expects feds soon; appeals court affirms transit concealed carry ban

WATCH: Pritzker expects feds soon; appeals court affirms transit concealed carry ban

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares the latest...
Casey Lions Club

Casey Lions Club Cleans Up Rt 40

The Casey Lions Club and friends spent a beautiful Saturday morning picking up trash along U.S. Route 40 picking up trash. The Club does this 4 times a year in...
Illinois quick hits: Economic conditions show stability; EPA recruitment efforts

Illinois quick hits: Economic conditions show stability; EPA recruitment efforts

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Economic conditions show stability The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s National Financial Conditions Index was unchanged at –0.53 in the week...
casey fire protection district graphic.1

Casey Fire Chief Outlines Equipment Needs, Including New Truck and Thermal Camera

Article Summary: The Casey Fire Chief Jason Garver reported to the Board of Trustees that the district is actively pursuing significant equipment upgrades to enhance firefighter safety and operational readiness....
Screenshot 2025-09-04 at 7.37.48 AM

Casey Officials Praise ‘Incredible’ Popcorn Festival for Community Spirit, Economic Boost

Article Summary: Casey city officials lauded the recent Popcorn Festival as a major success, praising the organizing committee, volunteers, and city staff for their hard work. The event drew large...
casey fire protection district graphic.3

Casey Fire District Board Approves Administrative Salary Raise, Adopts Tentative Budget

Article Summary: The Casey Fire Protection District Board of Trustees approved a significant raise for an administrative salary to $10,000 and adopted the tentative budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year...
WATCH: Pritzker focuses on violence intervention; VP won’t confirm deployments

WATCH: Pritzker focuses on violence intervention; VP won’t confirm deployments

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Vice President J.D. Vance is not confirming reports shared by Gov. J.B. Pritzker that federal deployments may...
House committee investigating Dem governors for 'illegal alien' Medicaid spending

House committee investigating Dem governors for ‘illegal alien’ Medicaid spending

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is launching an investigation into the “impact of the...
Illinois quick hits: House investigating Medicaid for illegal immigrants; transit concealed carry case decided by appeals court

Illinois quick hits: House investigating Medicaid for illegal immigrants; transit concealed carry case decided by appeals court

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square U.S. House investigating Medicaid for illegal immigrants A U.S. House committee is launching an investigation into Illinois and other states, seeking,...