Winfield Moves Duplex Plans Forward as City Tackles Business Across Town

WINFIELD, Mo. — Two new duplexes could add four residential units in Winfield as city leaders move the project forward while tackling wastewater improvements, city finances, equipment repairs and other business across town.

The proposed development involves Lot 21 on West Avenue in the Southwest Business Park, where Earnest Investments is seeking to rezone the property from commercial to residential.

Plans presented to the Winfield Planning and Zoning Commission call for two two-story duplexes. The commission recommended approval of the rezoning following an Aug. 3 public hearing.

The project also opened a conversation about the property's longer-term possibilities. The developer previously asked whether the buildings could eventually become mixed-use, with commercial space on the first floor and residential space above.

Board members discussed the importance of making clear that rezoning the property residential would affect that option. A future commercial use would need zoning that allows it.

Away from development, Winfield's Public Works Department has been working through a lengthy list of repairs while the city continues addressing its wastewater system.

Representatives from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources recently visited Winfield to review the wastewater treatment operation and tour the lagoons with city employees.

Among the improvements being considered are an additional aerator in the third lagoon cell and riprap around the cells. Officials are also working to control duckweed, which has caused problems at the facility during the past two years.

The lagoon treatment system has been repaired and is operating again. The city also received an A rating on its July bacteriological water test, while adjustments to the water tower resolved issues following a power outage.

Public Works employees have also been repairing city equipment in-house.

The city spent $1,921.75 on parts for several repairs, including work on mowers, a Bobcat and an air compressor. Estimates presented during the meeting put the potential cost of having the work performed by outside repair shops between approximately $4,500 and $6,350.

https://youtu.be/DDLtzW6AoQw

Work is continuing on Winfield's financial records as well.

City staff have been meeting with an accountant once or twice a week and reported that they are confident the city's 2026 transactions are now being coded properly. Those records have been sent to the auditor for review.

If the auditor approves the format, the city plans to use the same process to work through its 2025 records.

The Winfield Police Department received a roughly $1,500 traffic enforcement grant through the University of Central Missouri.

The department is also decommissioning a Crown Victoria that has been experiencing problems. Another vehicle is available, allowing the department to avoid immediately purchasing a replacement, while the city works to resolve a title issue before the Crown Victoria can eventually be sold.

The board also moved forward with switching the city's telephone service from RingCentral to Zoom Phones. The new service requires a three-year commitment and was presented as approximately $957 cheaper than the city's current service.

Aldermen also selected Robert Roskowske III to serve as board president. Roskowske, Joe Peluso and Ashley Purcell voted in favor, while Punky Burgess cast the lone no vote.

Winfield will hold a public hearing and special meeting Aug. 24 as the city prepares to set its property tax rates ahead of a September filing deadline.

Near the end of the meeting, the board entered closed session for personnel matters.

After returning to open session, aldermen voted to increase Public Works employee Stacey Brooks' pay from $23.08 to $24 per hour. Roskowske, Peluso and Purcell voted yes, while Burgess cast the lone no vote.

Brooks was not at the meeting due to other work requirements.

Mayor Nicole Hanson, City Clerk Tracy Kennison, Police Chief Brian Wideman and all four aldermen — Burgess, Roskowske, Peluso and Purcell — were present for the Aug. 11 meeting. The official agenda identified it as the city's regularly scheduled Board of Aldermen meeting at Winfield City Hall.

The duplex proposal, wastewater improvements and financial work are among several projects that will continue beyond Tuesday's meeting as Winfield moves through the remainder of the year.

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Story by: John Eads

Primary Sources

• Winfield Board of Aldermen meeting — Aug. 11, 2026

• City of Winfield Board of Aldermen meeting agenda

• City department reports presented during the meeting

• Lincoln CountyWatch full meeting video