LOWRY CITY — The Lowry City Board of Aldermen approved several administrative and financial items during its regular meeting Tuesday evening at City Hall.
Mayor Patricia Landes called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. with all four aldermen present. The board unanimously approved minutes from its February regular and closed session meetings, along with a list of bills covering the period from February 18 through March 16. Officials noted worker’s compensation premiums will decrease 9.1 percent this year due to a 9.8 percent reduction in overall payroll.
Board members also reviewed financial reports for the month ending February 28. Total income stands at 69.5 percent of the budgeted amount for the fiscal year ending June 30, while expenses are at 71.6 percent.
In new business, the board unanimously approved a quote for employee health insurance coverage for fiscal year 2026–2027 through Missouri Chamber Federation. Rates will decrease 2.2 percent from last year to $1,204.50 per employee per month. If the city continues paying 80 percent of the premium, its share will be $963.60 monthly, with employees responsible for $240.90.
A proposed Hazard Mitigation Resolution was presented but tabled pending additional clarification. City Clerk John Farrell said a representative from Kasinger Regional Planning Commission may attend a future meeting to explain the measure.
The board also approved a fund transfer requiring the cemetery checking account to reimburse the city’s general fund for cemetery wages in 2026. Officials noted the account currently holds an estimated $9,000, while cemetery wages totaled nearly $8,919 last year.
During citizen input, questions were raised about the city clerk’s previously announced resignation. Mayor Landes said the clerk had changed his mind and the board had not accepted the resignation. Additional questions were asked about a planned closed session and board member training.
Department reports indicated a relatively quiet month for both police and fire services. Police Chief Charles Hodges reported only a few tickets issued but noted involvement in a recent vehicle pursuit that ended with an arrest in Clinton. Fire Chief Justin Norris reported responses to several accidents, ongoing fleet maintenance, and upcoming training opportunities. He also announced the department has officially joined the Firefighters Association of Missouri and plans to sell an older brush truck at a consignment auction March 28. Norris also recognized Schaelyn Bell of the women’s auxiliary for securing a $2,000 MFA grant to be used for lighting equipment.
Public Works officials reported the city’s water and sewer systems are functioning properly ahead of a scheduled Department of Natural Resources site inspection March 19.
Community events were also highlighted, including a city-wide garage sale planned for April 4 and a city-wide clean-up set for April 11.
Following the regular meeting, the board entered closed session to discuss personnel matters. During that session, aldermen voted to rehire Jakob Hammer as part-time summer help at a rate of $15 per hour beginning May 26. The motion passed after Mayor Landes cast the tie-breaking vote.
The meeting later adjourned.
