Phillipsburg council approves tractor purchase, firehouse roof, fee increases and personnel moves

The Phillipsburg City Council on March 16 approved a series of routine and capital items, including purchase of a new tractor, authorization of a roof replacement for the city's fire building and changes to several fees and personnel actions.

Mayor Lance Munyon called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the council unanimously approved the March 2 minutes and ordinance #1055-03-26A to pay city bills.

Councilmember Brian Shrader presented an updated quote for a new tractor and the council approved buying the tractor for $89,722.44. The council also voted 5'1 to list the old tractor and its accessories for sale on Purple Wave Auction; Councilmember Don Roberts was recorded as opposed to the auction listing.

Councilmember Terry McConnell presented a Roofmasters proposal to replace the fire building roof for $111,365; the council approved the project to be paid from the Capital Improvement Fund.

City Clerk Brandi Spray recommended raising the zoning application fee from $100 to $250 to cover the city's $250 publication expense; the council approved Resolution #359 to enact that fee increase. Spray also recommended increasing the water meter deposit from $70 to $100, a change the council approved.

The council approved purchase of a white 2025 Dodge Ram for $36,500 and approved selling the maroon 2021 Dodge Ram. The council also voted to revert the Joint Personnel Policy Committee (JPPC) membership to three employees, two supervisors and two council members, reversing an earlier expansion.

Following executive session discussions on personnel, the council approved a new Water/Wastewater Maintenance Technician job description and authorized offering an individual $26 per hour for the position. The council additionally approved a $1 hourly raise for three employees who have advanced to the next pay level.

Moved by McConnell and seconded by Craig, the council unanimously appointed Heather Sauer to the Library Board. The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - March 2, 2026 minutes: approved unanimously - Ordinance #1055-03-26A (pay bills): approved unanimously - Purchase new tractor ($89,722.44): approved unanimously - List old tractor on Purple Wave Auction: approved 5'1 (Roberts opposed) - Fire building roof replacement (Roofmasters, $111,365): approved unanimously - Resolution #359 (zoning application fee to $250): approved unanimously - Water meter deposit increase to $100: approved unanimously - Purchase 2025 Dodge Ram ($36,500): approved unanimously - Sell 2021 Dodge Ram: approved unanimously - JPPC membership change: approved unanimously - Appointment of Heather Sauer to Library Board: approved unanimously - Water/Wastewater job description: approved unanimously - Offer $26/hour for Maintenance Technician: approved unanimously - $1 raises for three employees: approved unanimously

The council also recorded public works and street-repair updates and set a Strategic Doing meeting for May 19 at the Fischer Building.