Members of the Winlock City Council met on Monday for the first of the council’s two regular monthly meetings to discuss a number of topics and issues.
First discussed was the newly approved Winlock Farm Board, with Winlock Mayor Brandon Svenson clarifying the reason for its creation and what the farm board will do.
Also discussed were plans for Winlock to participate in America’s 250th Independence Day celebration next year — which included the idea of having the newly formed Winlock Patriotic Citizens volunteer group set up 250 flags in the community, painting the Winlock Egg and incorporating next year’s Winlock Egg Days festival into the patriotic celebration.
Additionally, the council approved paying off a sewer system loan originally scheduled to be paid off by 2036, saving the city an estimated $19,000 in interest, according to Svenson.
Sewer loan paid off
With new revenue streams flowing into the City of Winlock following the annexation of an additional 1,355 acres of land into the city limits last year, Svenson proposed the idea of using that extra revenue to pay off some of the city’s loans early. The council voted unanimously to pay off loans.
On Monday, this began with a Washington state Department of Ecology sewer system loan, which was due to be paid off by 2036. The city’s remaining balance on the loan was $75,386.04, and paying it off early is saving the City of Winlock an estimated $19,000 in interest payments.
“That will be the third one that would have been paid off this year. I think that’s a huge milestone,” Svenson said. “I think we could probably get that other one by the end of the year as well. But we’re making some pretty good strides towards getting these paid off.”
The other loan Svenson referred to was an Ecology water system loan.
Aside from saving the city money by avoiding interest payments, Svenson wanted to pay off the loans early to ensure the city is prepared for continuing inflation in maintenance costs for both Winlock’s water and sewer systems.
“Just since 2020, since I’ve been doing this (serving as mayor), I’ve seen costs triple, easily,” Svenson added.
Inflation has been going nonstop for years as well, as Svenson cited the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI) going back to 2010.
Farm board clarified
While the Winlock Farm Board has been established in city code, it is not yet active and has no current sitting members — though the period for farmers to apply to serve on the board will soon be announced. Despite this, Svenson has received a lot of questions about the new board from residents.
“The reason the farm board was created was to give farmers in the city limits of Winlock a voice. Not to create a situation in which we’re going after farms, but a way to encourage, in perpetuity, farming within the community,” Svenson said.
He stated he felt there was a need for the city to work on preserving farms, as many farmers are preparing to retire.
“Farmers are kind of aging out so to speak, and they’re getting pretty significant offers for their land,” Svenson said. “I spoke with one gentleman that has a dairy (farm) out on (state Route) 505. He’s 78 years old and says at some point he’s not going to be doing this anymore. I know that he’s already had a several-million-dollar offer for that farm. The likelihood of somebody coming and paying $2 million-plus for that farm and starting a new dairy (farm) is really low. So there’s a chance that it’s probably going to be a development.”
The Winlock Farm Board will be composed of five local farmers who will be able to research and advocate for farming development and growth within the city along with recommending city code amendments. This includes anything that affects farms including local animal ordinances.
Egg Day 2026, America’s 250th and U.S. flags in town
For those interested in being involved with planning the 2026 Winlock Egg Days festival, Winlock City Councilor Jodie Curtis announced the first planning meeting for the event at the Winlock United Methodist Church.
“There will be an Egg Day meeting Tuesday evening at the Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. If you’re interested in helping … we can use anybody and everybody. The six of us are really tired,” Curtis said.
She added that on Sept. 19 an “old fashioned” potato bar will be held at the Winlock Senior Center ahead of the Winlock High School football team’s game.
“You get your potato with chili or tapas meat, broccoli, a salad bar, nachos, dessert, a drink, all for $10,” she said. “It’s all you can eat. Come fill up before the game.”
Additionally, councilors and the mayor thanked the local Winlock Patriotic Citizens group volunteers who set up 75 U.S. flags throughout the community on Labor Day earlier this month.
According to Winlock Patriotic Citizens volunteer Kathy Chastain, who spoke during public comment, the group raised $1,977 to pay for the flags, equipment and tools needed to set them up.
Chastain added Tommy Thompson, who started the volunteer group, wants to get more flags and extend the patriotic display.
The group has plans to set the flags up again for the next upcoming federal holiday, Columbus Day, on Oct. 13.
With the 250th celebration of Independence Day coming up in 2026 as well, Curtis suggested the group set a high goal.
“Maybe we can get 250 flags put out,” Curtis said.
Chastain liked the idea, but stated the group would need to engage in a lot more fundraising in order to get that many flags.
Additionally, the possibility of painting the Winlock Egg to match the patriotic celebration was also discussed.
