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

Teachers unions call for special session, more money

Teachers unions call for special session, more money

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union and the Illinois Federation of Teachers are calling for a special session of...
Record number of Border Patrol agents now serving under Trump

Record number of Border Patrol agents now serving under Trump

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square A record number of U.S. Border Patrol agents are now serving under President Donald Trump. As of this spring, 21,471 Border Patrol agents are now...
Illinois Quick Hits: Bond, TIF money helps fund Chicago neighborhood grants

Illinois Quick Hits: Bond, TIF money helps fund Chicago neighborhood grants

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced $42.5 million in grant support for 56 neighborhood development projects. A...
Trump won't sign bipartisan housing bill, reignites voter ID debate

Trump won’t sign bipartisan housing bill, reignites voter ID debate

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Major housing legislation that overwhelmingly passed both chambers of Congress won’t become law this week after the president refused to sign it Wednesday. President Donald...
Poll: Two thirds say gas prices will shape their November vote

Poll: Two thirds say gas prices will shape their November vote

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Nearly half of American voters blame wars and conflicts for elevated gas prices, and two thirds say fuel costs will influence their vote in November,...
Pritzker approves law sealing reproductive medical records past state lines

Pritzker approves law sealing reproductive medical records past state lines

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Four years after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled overturned the right to abortion nationwide, Illinois Gov. J.B....
Attorney general candidates see drought, Trump as issues

Attorney general candidates see drought, Trump as issues

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Colorado attorney general candidates have called this year’s race the most important in the state’s history. The open race comes amid an unprecedented state drought...
Trump dispels Iran rumors, calls out Senate for approval of War Powers Act

Trump dispels Iran rumors, calls out Senate for approval of War Powers Act

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump is hitting back at several U.S. senators and what he characterizes as the “fake news” over Iran. The U.S. Senate voted 50...
Data centers can benefit taxpayers, group says

Data centers can benefit taxpayers, group says

By Shirleen GuerraThe Center Square Data centers can help lower taxes and generate revenue for local governments, according to speakers at a National Taxpayers Union discussion Tuesday. The discussion focused...
Illinois wheat harvest looks good despite storms

Illinois wheat harvest looks good despite storms

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Most Illinois wheat escaped damage from severe storms across the state, but recent rainfall could affect crops...

WATCH: Free speech lawsuit targets University of Minnesota gender policies

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The University of Minnesota is facing a lawsuit alleging school policies on gender violate students’ First Amendment rights. The lawsuit, filed by the Southeastern Legal...
Microsoft's 1st Mt. Pleasant data center fully online with 500 employees

Microsoft’s 1st Mt. Pleasant data center fully online with 500 employees

By Jon StyfThe Center Square Microsoft says that it has 550 full-time employees on site at the recently completed Fairview data center in Mount Pleasant. The company also says that...
Group works to promote ‘pro-life safety net’ to care for abortion-vulnerable moms

Group works to promote ‘pro-life safety net’ to care for abortion-vulnerable moms

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square A pro-life organization is working to provide a “pro-life safety net” to care for mothers and children in post-Dobbs America amid the news that an...
Illinois Quick Hits: $50.8M in cannabis tax-funded grants awarded

Illinois Quick Hits: $50.8M in cannabis tax-funded grants awarded

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority has announced $50.8 million in Restore, Reinvest and Renew grants. The...
Poll: Americans reject legal rights, 'personhood' for AI

Poll: Americans reject legal rights, ‘personhood’ for AI

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A vast majority of Americans reject the idea of giving legal rights and 'personhood' to artificial intelligence, according to a new poll. The Center Square’s...