Salem council approves tax levy, wastewater AOC, annexation, zoning and subdivision on second readings

The Salem City Council on second reading approved five ordinances covering the 2025 tax levy, a Department of Natural Resources abatement order on consent for the wastewater treatment plant, an annexation, a zoning classification and a subdivision plat.

Bill 36-83 was read as an ordinance levying 67.80¢ per $100 assessed valuation for real estate and personal property in Salem for general revenue purposes. Council members asked whether the change would affect the city’s budget; staff explained the adjustment is intended to keep revenue at the same level the city has been receiving. The motion to approve passed.

Bill 36-85 authorizes the mayor to execute an abatement order on consent (AOC number 2025 WPCB19O5) with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources regarding the Salem wastewater treatment plant. Councilors referenced prior discussions about the AOC and asked clarifying questions; the ordinance was approved on second reading.

Bill 36-86 annexed adjacent territory into the city, and Bill 36-87 applied an R-3 multifamily residential zoning classification to a portion of property owned by Brady and Micah Adams that had been annexed into the city. Bill 36-88 approved the Westwood North subdivision plat for the same property. Each ordinance was moved, seconded and carried with no additional conditions recorded in the transcript.

Council did not record dissent on any of the second-reading items at this meeting; staff and the council signaled these were routine second readings except where members asked procedural or budget-impact questions. The approvals are the latest procedural steps for each ordinance and will be reflected in the city’s ordinance records.