Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey City Council for June 15, 2026

Casey City Council Meeting | June 15, 2026

CASEY — The Casey City Council on Monday, June 15, 2026, approved the first ordinance in its 17-ordinance annexation cleanup program, authorized a $99,999 USDA grant application to rebuild a downtown parking lot, and purchased four properties for redevelopment after an executive session — three of them from a family trust for $1. The council also awarded a $48,498.75 Motor Fuel Tax street contract to Lawrence Gravel, Inc. and declared the property at 710 W. Main St. dangerous and unsafe. Full coverage of each of those actions appears in standalone stories on the annexation program, the parking lot grant, the property purchases, the MFT bid and the 710 W. Main declaration. Aldermen Jeremiah Hanley and Steve Jenkins were absent; all votes were 4-0. The council met in executive session from 6:35 to 6:46 p.m. to discuss the lease of public property and purchase of real property under the Open Meetings Act, and adjourned at 6:54 p.m.

The following briefs cover the meeting’s remaining business.

Summer Crews Hired at Flat $15 an Hour

The council approved five summer utility hires — Korbyn Bennett, Nolan Clement, Kellen Sullivan, Owen Hanley and Jarett Self — at $15 per hour, on a motion by Alderman Carlene Richardson seconded by Alderman Tanner Brown. Mayor Mike Nichols explained the city’s pay scale previously varied by age, but he and Treasurer Gail Lorton set everyone at the same rate. “I did not want to pay an 18-year-old $15 and then less than an 18-year-old get $14, $13 for doing the same work. That didn’t seem fair,” Nichols said. The crews started June 8 and are painting curbs downtown ahead of the Fourth of July. The council later reread and re-approved the motion to make explicit that the $15 wage applied to all hires.

Welcome Center Hires Part-Time Tourism Director

On the recommendation of Economic Development Director Tom Daughhetee, the council approved hiring Paige Cox as part-time tourism director for the welcome center at $16.50 per hour, on a motion by Alderman Richardson seconded by Alderman Marcy Mumford. Cox will work Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the same schedule as last year. Daughhetee said Cox started earlier that day and handled a busy one — 85 visitors came through the welcome center, and she began fielding emails and text messages. “She’s going to do great,” he said.

CSX Utility Agreement Tabled

The council tabled a renewal agreement with CSX railroad allowing city utility lines to cross in the railroad’s airspace above the tracks on the south side. Director of Public Works Ryan Staley said the renewal carries a one-time fee and is one of what he believes are four such agreements that will eventually need renewal, but said he had no paperwork on the prior versions, which predate his oversight of utilities. City Attorney Tracy Willenborg noted the stated deadline had already passed. The council tabled the item to gather further information and give the attorney time to put an agreement in place.

Railroad Crossing to Close July 6-10

Mayor Nichols announced that the railroad will close the crossing on the city’s south side — identified in the official minutes as the Route 49 crossing — July 6 through 10 for a complete renovation of the crossing surface. Nichols said he has asked Public Works to designate a detour route for the four-day closure and urged that the dates be publicized. The work is expected to smooth a notoriously rough crossing.

Public Works Roundup: Crosswalks, Parking Lot, Cleanup, I-70 Project

Staley reported crews began striping the downtown crosswalks for the Celebrate 250 observance, though the blue came out lighter than intended; the contractor was to return the next day with a deeper, flag-blue shade. Resurfacing and restriping of the City Hall parking lot was set to finish the same day, with parking blocks repainted. The citywide cleanup filled eight to 10 dumpsters, with crews working overtime. On the I-70 project, the electric portion was scheduled to start during the week, and a bid opening for the sewer and water portion was set for Thursday.

Storm Siren Delayed; Weekend Storm Damages Banner

EMA Director David Craig reported the new warning siren installation is delayed because the poles are delayed, with an arrival estimate ranging from two to six weeks. Nichols asked to be kept posted, noting severe storms were forecast that Wednesday. Craig also reported the recent storm brought very heavy rain and damaging wind. The city’s Fourth of July banner in front of the welcome center blew away; officials initially suspected vandalism, but security video showed the wind took it, and a replacement with added grommets is planned.

Alderman Seeks Earlier Word on Land Bank Sales

Before the executive session, a council member asked that aldermen be told about land bank property sales before deals are finalized rather than after, saying the council conveyed the properties and should be kept informed. Officials said the land bank was signing purchase agreements the following day and the council would be notified when transactions close, while noting the city has limited control over sales it has already authorized the land bank to handle.

Celebrate 250 Reading Draws a Crowd

Alderman Richardson reported that the previous weekend’s Celebrate 250 events went well, including a well-attended reading about Revolutionary-era printer Mary Katherine Goddard at the welcome center, where 10 to 15 people stopped to listen. The official minutes credit Patty Richards for organizing the events. Richardson noted an online search for communities celebrating Goddard’s legacy turned up Casey as the only result. Alderman Lori Wilson also asked for an update on the collector’s office remodel; Staley said the city has consulted electricians, is updating project specifications, and expects to move forward with rebidding.