Bridgeport City Council getting new police officer and water system operator

Friday, March 20, 2026 at 12:23 PM

By Steve Anderson

The Bridgeport City Council, meeting in special session late Wednesday afternoon, made a couple of personnel moves.

They unanimously voted to have EJ Water Cooperative based out of Dieterich take over the operation of the city water system in the future. They already handle the city's lagoon and will take over for previous operator Aaron Tipsword, whose contract is expiring.

After entering into an executive session, the council emerged to announce the hiring of Tristan Kleinschmidt of Grayville as a new member of the city police department. He was selected after interviews with several applicants for the position. The city had been looking for a new officer to add to the force after Austin Biehl left to come to Lawrenceville and with the impending retirement of longtime police chief Danny Ash. He will be paid $25 an hour and will receive a number of incentives if he stays with the department.