WOODWARD, Iowa — Monday night’s Woodward City Council ended with the swearing in of the city officeholders elected or reelected in last month’s balloting and appointed or reappointed by the council. Eight-year Woodward City Council member Dave Luke was also presented with parting gifts in gratitude for his longtime service to the community.
Woodward City Clerk Christina Perkins first swore in Woodward Mayor Todd Folkerts for his second term as leader of this town of 1,024. Folkerts then returned the favor, swearing in Perkins after her reappointment as longtime city clerk.
Folkerts also swore in J. C Stone, a newcomer to the city council whom voters chose in November, and Kelly Kirts, who was elected to his first full term after first coming to office in a December 2018 special election.
Shane Buck, hired at the Nov. 27 special meeting, was sworn in by Folkerts as the newest member of the Woodward Police Department. Outgoing Police Chief Joe Cox will continue in office until Buck is fully trained as police chief.
Buck said he was glad to help serve public safety in Woodward, and Cox said Buck would be a positive addition to the community.
Luke commended by Cox and Buck, saying they share the same convictions and will both continue to be assets to Woodward.
Folkerts presented Luke with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of Luke dedicated service to the people of Woodward during his two terms on the city council. Luke is also a former two-term member of the Woodward-Granger Community School District Board of Directors.
Cox also presented Luke with an appreciation award in recognition of his service on the council and steady support of the Woodward Police Department.
In other business, the council heard an annual report from Linda Wunch, executive director of the Greater Dallas County Development Alliance. Wunch assured the council the alliance was vigorously marketing the city’s eco-business certified site and narrowly missed a development project that went instead to Altoona.
The council also entered into a 28E agreement with the Dallas County Conservation Board, which will administer a $75,000 Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant recently awarded to the city. Conservation Board Director Mike Wallace said the REAP funds will partly cover the engineering and construction costs for the in-town portion of the HTT-RRVT Connector Trail.
The Woodward City Council will next meet Jan. 9 for a budget work session.
