The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held its regular meeting Tuesday, Feb. 10, during which the board settled its months long debate, settled by the city’s residents in a public survey over the course of February: What color will the new water tower be?
At the edge of our seats, we waited for the answer. Blue, said the citizens, at a percentage of 62%. And so, the board approved—at a vote of 3-1, with Alderman John Whelan voting no and not elaborating.
Also, in discussion for the evening included engineering firm contracts, budget adjustments for erosion mitigation, and several ordinances approved for change orders on ongoing projects.
In attendance included Mayor Greg Parker, Aldermen Nathan Kinsey, Rick Letchworth, John Whelan, and Catherine Dent. Also in attendance included City Administrator Sally Burbridge, City Clerk Tammy Koller, and Public Works Director Steve Paine.
Engineering firm decision tabled
The city submitted a request for qualifications back in November 2025 seeking an engineering firm to contract with, as the contract for Archer Elgin Engineering was up Feb. 2. Four companies responded to the request, with the board being provided with a letter of interest and statement of qualifications from each within its packet: Archer Elgin Engineering, Great Rivers Engineering, Toth & Associates, and Woodard & Curran.
City staff, following several rounds of interviews, recommended the board move forward with a contract with Toth & Associates of Springfield, Mo. The only service not offered by Toth & Associates was architectural services, in which Burbridge noted the city could always outsource those services for specific projects.
Burbridge also noted, “Keep in mind, the projects that we created and have open task orders with Archer Elgin [Engineering] on, they will remain on those projects through the completion of those projects.”
Those projects include the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades, the new well and blue water tower, Bonebrake Center line, and, most importantly, the Downtown Project, which is specified within the contract to go from Pershing to MacArthur.
“We’ll be working with Archer [Elgin Engineering] for years to come,” said Burbridge.
Letchworth requested the board, following confirmation that no pressing city business required an engineering firm, table the item until the following meeting, for further research in the listed companies. The board unanimously voted to table the item.
Water tower discussion
Burbridge specified that the tower has to be painted to protect the structure from rust and is included within the overall cost of the tower. The paint color and painting of the tower is included in the overall cost, which is covered by an ARPA grant with a 1% local match. The new tower is expected to be completed in July this year.
Two questions were asked of the citizens within the survey, however. One asked which water tower would be preferred for rebranding as a “Tiger Tower,” with the logo of Salem R-80 School District painted on it, in which approximately 42% answered the water tower near Walmart.
In other news, the board approved a request from Parks and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois for a $10,000 budget adjustment for the parks department. Erosion along the park creek has been an ongoing issue and was significantly exacerbated by the flooding event of Nov. 8, 2024, shared DuBois. City of Salem Street Department will be completing the work, and the funds will be going toward the cost of rock. FEMA may reimburse a portion of the costs, if eligible.
The 2025 net metering report from three solar system customers was presented.
Also approved by the board included the following:
• A bid from Behlmann Dodge for a construction department crew cab, utility bed truck, as the current 2005 Ford F-450 is beyond its expected lifespan. Two bids were received, including from GovMark for a used 2021 Ford truck for $44,848, and from Behlmann Dodge for a new 2026 Dodge Ram truck for $61,879.
• Ordinance for mid-year budget adjustments for Fiscal Year 2025-26
• Ordinance approving change order for the Salem Wastewater Treatment Facility Phase 2 Improvements Project
• Ordinance approving change order for Water System Improvements, Contract B, Elevated Storage Tank Project
• Ordinance approving change order for Water System Improvements-Contract C, Pitless Well Project
Reports of City Officials
Mayor Greg Parker
Parker thanked the city employees for their work during the winter storm, particularly road crews. He also thanked city staff for closing Fourth Street hill for sledding. In addition, he thanked Charlee Sue Jadwin of C-Sue’s Custard for providing hot chocolate for the sledders.
City Administrator Sally Burbridge
Burbridge provided a detailed report on the impact of the recent Winter Storm Fern on power costs, occurring through the dates of Jan. 22 - Jan. 28, highlighting the approximately $4 million extra cost to the power purchase pool.
The city successfully avoided a new peak during the cold snap, shared Burbridge.
“However, because there was such high demand for electricity during that cold snap, the costs still skyrocketed for that short event—that’s what resulted in the extra $4 million,” stated Burbridge.
Finance Director Stacey Houston
• Total sales tax revenues collected for FY 2026 (July-January) are $2,880,800 (including the general fund, parks and recreation fund, and capital improvement fund.) This is up around 2% from prior year.
Utility Usage and Revenue for FY 2026 (through January)
• Electric: A total of 30,080,854 kWh of electricity were billed, reflecting a 2% increase compared to the same time last year. Revenues billed totaled $4,079,006, also showing an increase from the prior year.
• Purchase of Power: The city has paid $2,631,381 to MPUA for purchased power, which is slightly more than the amount paid during the same period last year.
• Water: A total of 74,121,960 gallons of water were billed, reflecting a slight increase over the same time frame as last year. Revenues billed were $692,275, this is up from prior year.
• Sewer: A total of 68,766,743 gallons were billed, showing a 3% increase compared to the same time frame as last year. Revenues billed were $923,644; this is up from prior year.
• The ending total of all funds, through Jan 31, 2026, is $16,183,324. For revenues, the city has brought in 46% of the budgeted amount. For expenditures, the city has spent 42% of the budgeted amount. Both are less than anticipated for halfway through the year, mainly due to grant revenues and expenses coming in lower than anticipated.
Public Works Director Steve Paine
Wastewater Treatment Plant’s daily testing continues with Paine reporting the plant as healthy. Phase 2A continues. Bidding for phase 2B should occur in early March. Josh Hunt, leadman for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, reports that he’s impressed with the crew.
Water department crew members repaired several water service lines over the cold snap. They conducted water main repairs and new taps.
Electric department crew members have replaced over 11 poles in the past 30 days. Paine spoke highly on hiring Brandon Schmidt, with reports of reorganizing, ensuring efficiency, and educating other crew members. The feeder line contractor is to start in early March and ramp up tree trimming.
Construction department finished stairs at the park.
Street department was commended by Paine for their work throughout the snowstorm.
The mechanic Jon Roos repaired and maintained multiple pieces of equipment over the cold snap.
The cemetery crew were commended by Paine for their work in snow removal, digging, and setting up a grave site.
Parks and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois
Basketball season just wrapped up and was successful, with only two days cancelled due to weather. There were 127 athletes for basketball, only down two from the previous year. DuBois commended the coaches for running things smoothly and ensuring the fundamentals were taught, all with a positive attitude. DuBois thanked the Bank of Salem for sponsoring the shirts and season.
In addition, bid packets for the security system will be opened soon for the parks, with Lieutenant Counts being instrumental in assisting in the process.
At the Parks Board meeting, DuBois summarized that the board reviewed the FEMA projects. DuBois reported that it’s been a struggle getting a hold of the original fencing company for the city park but work is ongoing to receive bids to replace it. The original fence is aluminum, which is reported as difficult to repair. DuBois shared that a budget adjustment may be forthcoming for a stronger metal fencing, such as steel, in order to ensure mitigation for future weather events.
Alderman Rick Letchworth
Letchworth was recently made a member of the Good Dads advisory board. He believes the program to be of great benefit to community.
Alderman Nathan Kinsey
Kinsey shared his appreciation for the city in shutting down Fourth Street during the snowstorm, in order for the kids to sled.
Alderwoman Catherine Dent
Dent has had several meetings with people regarding utilities and the water tower. She reported the Beautification Committee recently received a permit from MoDOT to cut down the trees in the fountain.
