Town of Clayton adopts 2026 budget and salary ordinance; approves tree removal, banner order and partial contractor payment

Town of Clayton officials adopted the town's 2026 budget and approved a 2026 salary ordinance, and they approved several other administrative and spending items at a regular meeting. Council members also voted to hire a contractor to remove a damaged tree on East York Avenue, authorized purchase of wayfinding banners, designated the town manager as the designated signer for the town's CCMG paperwork, and approved a partial payment to a contractor working on a town project.

The budget and salary action set the town's official spending plan and pay schedule for 2026. Council adopted the 2026 budget by voice vote and then adopted the 2026 salary ordinance by voice vote; officials discussed line-item allocations during the salary ordinance review, including how the deputy clerk/treasurer's hours and pay are split between funds (the role is funded from two separate accounts and the position is budgeted as roughly 10 hours per week split across two funds). Council members asked for clarification about biweekly and yearly pay options for certain part-time positions and confirmed the salary figures did not change from the prior year for the positions discussed.

Votes at a glance: - Approve September minutes and October claims document — approved (voice vote; counts not specified). - Tree removal, East York Avenue — accept Artistic Truck service for $8,000 to remove the tree — approved (voice vote; counts not specified). - Order wayfinding banners — approve initial purchase (12 banners, 30x60 inches) — approved (voice vote;…