The unexpected resignation of West Liberty councilmember Mike Woodruff in February left the council with a seat to fill. After interviewing two candidates before their Feb. 24 meeting, they chose Brooke Markin, a 2015 West Liberty-Salem High School graduate.
Mayor Brad Hudson swore her in at their regular meeting on Monday, March 10.
“One of my goals for the new year was to become more involved in the community,” Markin stated later. “When I saw the village was looking for applicants, it felt like the perfect opportunity and truly divine timing.”
Markin is the daughter of Terry and Julie Markin, who owned Markin Farms on Township Road 30 until they sold it in 2020. After high school, Markin earned her bachelor’s in early childhood education from Wittenberg University.
She taught at Springfield City Schools for four years, then became a licensed realtor in September 2024. Markin now works for RE/MAX Alliance in the V. Patrick Hamilton Group in Urbana.
“I’m grateful to be joining a strong, faith-driven team, and I’m excited about what’s ahead,” she concluded.
Markin’s parents; her grandmother, Peggy Markin; and her boyfriend, Travis Mayse, attended the swearing in to support her accomplishment.
The council also continued discussion on a job description for a city administrator. They plan to finish that within the week, then post the opening to the community.
Topping the list of responsibilities are streets and water/sewage as well as overseeing capital projects. When asked if it would include the cemetery, Chris Moell, village solicitor, replied the wording includes “whatever the village needs that’s not outside the ordinance.
“There’s a bunch of other things they could do, but the streets plus water and sewage are musts,” Moell added.
They also discussed whether the position will cover building/zoning inspection, which is currently taken care of by Scott Woodruff, code enforcement officer.
“We’re a small village and would want something to fill his (the administrator’s) plate.” Councilmember Trent Spriggs added, “I think it makes sense to include it.”
Overall, the administrator will “wear a lot of hats,” working with the different departments and overseeing where needed. Hudson decided to include everything so the person they hire is prepared. He plans to rework the description this week.
In other board action, Moell said they finally have movement on the property next to the Shell station. He had actually heard back late Monday about the title work, which has only “a minor little issue.”
Moell will work with an attorney to resolve that, then will talk to the county treasurer. “This is what we’ve been waiting on,” he concluded.
Next, the board passed a motion to pay half the cost of this summer’s fireworks show ($11,500), which comes to $5,750.
“It’s good for the community,” Jayne Griffith, council president, said. “And it’s something I feel good about.”
Excavation on the old elementary school will finally get going the beginning of April and should be completed in about seven days. Hudson said the work isn’t expected to block traffic.
And, fortunately, getting it done in early April should take care of the vulture problem as the birds are expected to leave once the work begins. Vultures would only stay if they had laid eggs, but that doesn’t happen until late April, early May, according to Cindee Boyd, village clerk.
Upcoming Events
West Liberty’s annual breakfast with the Easter bunny will be Saturday, March 22, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Opera House. The fourth annual Easter egg hunt for fifth grade and under is that same day at 11 a.m. at Lions Park.
A preview of the 2025 Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek Historical Society program will be held on Wednesday, Mar. 26.
The next West Liberty village council meeting will be Monday, March 24, at 7 p.m.