Westfield becoming a 2nd class city. What that means going forward
John TuohyCorrection: This article was updated to accurately explain how the clerk-treasurer role will change.
The Westfield City Council on Monday unanimously adopted a change to 2nd city status that will add two councilors and eliminate the elected city clerk-treasurer position.
The council had rejected the plan in June 2022.
The switch from a 3rd class city will take hold in 2028 and will require the incoming council to add a legislative district and an at-large councilor, increasing the panel from seven to nine members.
The position of city clerk-treasurer, elected by voters, will be replaced with an elected city clerk and a comptroller appointed by the mayor.
The change reflects Westfield’s growing population and is allowable for cities that exceed 50,000 residents. Westfield is the only city in Hamilton County with a population over that threshold that is still 3rd class.
After rejecting the plan once, the council took it up again because long-term Mayor Andy Cook has since announced his retirement.
Cook supported the move but some councilors had doubts about his motivation, suspecting it was intended to punish City Clerk Cindy Gossard, with whom he’d been feuding for years. Cook denied the allegation and Gossard decided against seeking re-election.
In January, an all-new council will be seated because no incumbents ran for re-election.
Call IndyStar reporter John Tuohy at 317-444-6418 or email him at john.tuohy@indystar.com. Follow him on Facebook and X/Twitter.