News – Friday, October 10th 2025

The City of Salem Utility Committee held its regular meeting Wednesday evening at 6:15 in the Auditorium located at 202 N. Washington Street. The agenda was approved after removing discussion of the Electric Meter Fee from the proposed utility policy amendments. The committee approved updates to the City of Salem’s Identity Theft Prevention Program, specifically the Preventing and Mitigating Identity Theft section. They also approved a recommendation by committee member David Weiss to remove City Clerk Tammy Koller’s name from the Program Administration Oversight section. The city has issued a Request for Qualifications from firms capable of performing scheduled inspections, maintenance, and as-needed rehabilitation services on its three existing water towers, as well as the fourth tower currently under construction. Two companies, Maguire Water Tank Construction & Maintenance and Viking Water Tower Painting & Maintenance, were reviewed, with the committee voting to recommend Viking to the Board of Aldermen. Finance Director Stacy Houston presented the city’s financial report, noting that year-to-date the city has billed approximately 14.1 million kilowatt-hours in electric usage, generating $1.9 million in revenue, including $45,000 in service availability fees. Water billing totaled around 35 million gallons, producing roughly $316,000 in revenue, $53,000 of which came from base rates. Sewer usage totaled 31.4 million gallons, generating about $420,000 in revenue, with $77,000 from base rates. Committee member Harold Hamilton inquired why sewer billing was higher than water billing. City Administrator Sally Burbridge explained that Spring Creek is designated as an impaired waterway, meaning it already faces environmental challenges. Because Salem’s plant is the only permitted user on the creek, stricter discharge limits are enforced, leading to phased facility upgrades and incurred debt for phases 2B and potentially phase 3. Committee member Kyle Williams added that treating sewage requires more chemicals than treating water, contributing to the higher costs. Public Works Director Steve Paine recognized Josh Hunt, who received the 2024 Missouri Rural Water Operator of the Year award and the Water Drop Award. Paine noted that a formal press release will be issued to highlight Hunt’s achievement. He also reported that the city is still awaiting delivery of meter boxes from contractors to complete the downtown lights project and anticipates the fourth water tower will be completed by July 2026. Before adjournment, Alderman Nathan Kinsey announced that future Utility Committee agendas will include a public comments section. Residents who cannot attend meetings in person may email their questions directly to him for inclusion in the discussion.

The Dent County Museum is holding a “W. P Elmer Day” this Saturday at the museum location at 400 North Pershing Street from 1:00 until 4:00 in the afternoon as a celebration of Dent County History. Rick Mansfield will portray Elmer who owned the home where the museum is now located. Elmer was a local lawyer as well as prosecuting attorney for Dent County and also served as a state representative. There will be patriotic music from the Dent County Choir, and the museum will be open.

Looking for a new place to bow hunt this fall? The Missouri Outdoor Recreational Access Program (MRAP) offers several archery-only and all-access properties across the state that are open for public archery hunting! For more details, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/mrap.