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; counts not specified). Initial unit price cited during discussion: $18.50 each (noted as the quoted figure at the meeting). - Adopt 2026 budget — approved (voice vote; counts not specified). - Adopt 2026 salary ordinance — approved (voice vote; counts not specified). - Partial contractor payment / advance — authorized partial payment of $40,000 (described as under half of the original $81,000 bid) — approved (voice vote; counts not specified). Contractor indicated work in progress and an expected completion date (contractor-supplied date was cited as the 23rd with rain date of Nov. 1). - Designated CCMG signer — Town Manager Pete Angrick designated as official signer for CCMG-related documents — approved (concurrence recorded).

Discussion and staff directions - Wastewater electrical service: Council discussed a recent power outage at the wastewater treatment plant and information from Duke Energy indicating the meter and service are currently 300 amps and that an upgrade to 500 amps would require an engineering plan and new service equipment. Council authorized staff to engage Banting/Banning Engineering and to meet on-site with an electrical contractor and an electrical engineer to scope the work and prepare bid documents if needed. Staff noted generator testing during the outage showed high diesel consumption (meeting remarks cited roughly 200 gallons per day during generator operation) and that any major work would be bid out.

- Park awning / building options: Council reviewed multiple proposals for a new park awning and for a separate metal building proposed for the area between the town garage and the fire department. Prices discussed ranged widely (a custom awning option and larger custom structures were discussed, and one steel building quote of approximately $23,480 was mentioned). Several council members expressed concern about placing a large metal building in the middle of the park and the impact on park ambiance. The council agreed to “take a step back” and have staff gather additional, lower-cost and location-sensitive options before moving forward.

- Wayfinding and sponsorship signs: Planning commission work on wayfinding signs and banners was discussed. Council approved ordering the initial set of banners so they can be installed by year-end. Council and staff discussed a sponsorship model for some signage to offset town costs; sponsorship prices and administration were not finalized at the meeting.

- Park rental policy clarification: Staff and council clarified that shelter-house rentals do not convey exclusive use of adjacent parking areas or the rest of the park; parking remains first-come, first-served and restrooms associated with a rented shelter remain open to the public.

- Resident storm-drain complaint: A resident reported large sinkholes/holes in a yard tied to what appears to be an unrecorded storm-drain structure. Staff confirmed the town has no clear record or easement for a storm pipe at that exact location and agreed to investigate further (options described: review aerial/photo evidence, conduct a survey and camera inspection, and contact excavators as needed).

Other business and departmental reports - Public safety and volunteers: Police and fire reports were reviewed; the fire representative reported 87 total dispatches for the month (most were EMS), and staffing/tiered response constraints for larger incidents were described. Police briefed council on complaints about off-road vehicles and discussed possible ordinance updates regarding age and licensing for side-by-sides and golf carts.

- Facilities and maintenance: Staff reported a sump pump motor failure that has been tripping breakers in the town hall basement and noted building repairs and winter readiness items (snow equipment prepared). A front-door lock at town hall was reported not functioning; staff asked to prioritize replacement or repair.

What happens next - Council tabled the draft monthly financial reporting policy for one month to allow additional review after the town's exit conference with the state board of accounts; staff will circulate a hard copy to members and the item will return to the agenda. - Staff will proceed with engineering consultations for the wastewater electrical service issue and prepare bid documents if an upgrade is required. Staff will also follow up on the resident storm-drain complaint and gather additional park-structure options for council review.

Ending The meeting concluded after routine departmental reports and agreement to adjourn. Several agenda items will return for committee or council follow-up at upcoming meetings.