Votes at a glance: Warrenton Board approves rates, code changes, easement, change order and write-offs

The Warrenton Board of Aldermen on Jan. 21, 2025 approved multiple ordinances and motions affecting city operations, utility rates and capital projects. Key actions included water and sewer rate increases effective Feb. 1, 2025; a municipal code amendment naming the municipal court clerk as a records custodian; acceptance of a permanent sewer easement; approval of a single change order for the Booneslick Road water main project; and approval of utility-billing bad-debt write-offs totaling $110,244.88.

Below are the primary actions taken with vote totals and key details.

• Bill 01‑25 — Ordinance electing changes under the Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System: Passed 6‑0 (motion moved by Alderman Romaker, second Alderman Lang). The board recorded unanimous approval. (Transcript roll call: Lang, Schultz, Crump, Porter, Cullum, Romaker: yes.)

• Bill 05‑25 — Ordinance amending section 135.21 of the municipal code (clerk of municipal court record custodian): Passed 6‑0 (mover: Alderman Schultz; second: Alderman Lang). The ordinance specifically names the municipal court administrator as a designated custodian for court records; the city clerk retains authority to designate other custodians where code permits.

• Booneslick Water Main Project — Change order No. 1 (PACE Construction) for $85,957.96: Approved 6‑0 (motion moved by Alderman Quarter, second by Alderman Lang). City staff said the single end‑of‑project change order reflected unforeseen work; staff reported the amount had been negotiated down from a higher figure.

• Bill 06‑25 — Ordinance accepting a permanent easement for an underground sewer line west of South Water Street: Passed 6‑0 (mover: Alderman Cullum; second: Alderman Romaker). Staff said the easement brings an existing sewer segment into the city limits to allow future connections to a new subdivision in Truesdale.

• Bill 02‑25 — Ordinance establishing sewer service rates inside and outside city limits: Passed 6‑0 (mover: Alderman Roemaker; second: Alderman Cullum). The board approved a sewer rate change described by staff as a 4% increase to the minimum monthly charge and a 9% increase per 1,000 gallons after the minimum. Staff estimated the average in‑town residential customer would see an increase of about $1.36 per month; the average in‑town commercial customer would see about $3.55 per month.

• Bill 03‑25 — Ordinance establishing water rates inside and outside city limits: Passed 6‑0 (mover: Alderman Schultz; second: Alderman Lang). Staff said the water rates were proposed at a 4% increase. Staff estimated the average in‑town residential customer would see an increase of about $1.22 per month; the average in‑town commercial customer would see about $4.12 per month. Council recorded the ordinance will be effective Feb. 1, 2025.

• Utility-billing write‑offs totaling $110,244.88: Approved 6‑0 (mover: Alderman Romaker; second: Alderman Quarter). Finance staff said the write‑off will bring the city’s records up to date back to 2001. The finance department said a new policy adopted in April 2024 limits collection efforts to seven years before write‑off; staff also said the city will increase customer notifications and automated calls before accounts are sent to collections.

The board also recorded routine approvals of minutes, introduced a new public works maintenance technician, and set dates for MoDOT public open houses on the I‑70 improvement project.