The Lowry City Board of Aldermen met in regular session Tuesday evening at City Hall, with Mayor Patricia Landes calling the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call. Aldermen Sean Langston, Shirley Edmunds, and Jackie Cutler were present, with Alderman Charles Cone absent.
During the meeting, the board approved minutes from the May 20 regular session and June 16 special budget session. They also unanimously approved monthly financial reports and a list of submitted bills.
A key item of the night was the approval of Resolution 2025-03, establishing the city’s balanced budget for fiscal year 2025-2026, totaling $701,195.80 in expenditures. Langston, who collaborated with city office staff to finalize the budget, led the motion process, and the resolution passed unanimously after two readings and a roll call vote.
In department updates:
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Police Chief Charles Hodges reported 23 tickets issued since April and noted one officer’s resignation. The position has already been filled. The board approved his requests for a $2,200 records management system subscription and a $554 set of stop sticks.
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Water and Wastewater Superintendent Josh Muller reported that storm cleanup is complete and the brush pile has been burned. The board agreed to end brush pickup two weeks after any storm, with special considerations for elderly or disabled residents. Muller also announced that parts had been ordered for city equipment and a hazardous tree near Lucas and Burdette Streets will be bid out for removal, with bids due by July 15 at 3:00 p.m.
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Fire Chief Justin Norris was absent and no fire department report was given.
Under old business, City Clerk John Farrell noted that Jackson Bates, who requested signage on 4th Street regarding an autistic child, was unable to attend due to work. Regarding cemetery concerns, a monument company has been contacted to assess damage to a bronze flower vase.
Although no representatives from the Lowry City Community Betterment (LCCB) were present, it was reported that repairs have been made to the shelter house near City Hall, and the 13th Annual Music on Main Street event is scheduled for Saturday, September 13.
The meeting concluded with no citizen input and Mayor Landes offering no additional remarks. The board then moved into a closed session to conduct annual staff evaluations.
During the closed session, the board unanimously approved a 4.5% pay raise for all full-time city employees, including Water and Wastewater Superintendent Josh Muller, Maintenance Worker Kenneth Walker, City Collector Stephanie Porter, and City Clerk John Farrell.
Both the closed and open sessions adjourned unanimously.
