News – Thursday, September 24th, 2026

The Scenic Rivers Industries, also refereed to as SRI, is in the process of moving to their new permanent location. To give their staff time to complete the move they will not be picking up cardboard or accepting any recycling from Sunday, Sept. 27th through Oct. 4th. SRI wants to extend a thank you to everyone who has supported them as they look forward to serving the community from their new home.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for its regular meeting Tuesday night at the Old City Hall Auditorium. Under public comments, residents Dave Davison and Lana Grove came forward for a reply to comments made during the Sept. 8th meeting. Aldermen Rick Letchworth and Mayor Greg Parker informed Grove and Davison that replies from the board may be heard via email. Moving forward, the board approved a bid from Stella Jones for electric poles in the amount of $18,461.37. Next, the board approved a bid from Ed Morse Automotive Group for a 2026 Ford truck at $62,474 for the electric department. The board then discussed bids for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, a platform that integrates several city business functions, such as financial management, budgeting, utility billing, and other administrative processes. The current software is Incode 9, utilized since approximately 2010. After reviewing each proposed software, city staff recommended OpenGov, which was approved by the board alongside the contract later in the meeting. The full cost of OpenGov is $205,111.77, which required a budget adjustment of $49,874.77 for FY 2026-27. Ongoing costs associated with the software includes a 5-year contract with an annual cost of $53,573.32 with a 5% year-over-year increase. A bid from Felkerson Overhead Door Company in the amount of $8,775 for three garage doors and openers was approved for the electric department. For conditional use approvals, the board approved all presented and recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission during its Sept. 9th meeting. This included several short-term vacation rentals and one for aesthetician’s services. The board approved an infrastructure grant agreement, as well as a state block grant agreement, between the city and Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission for improvements at Salem Memorial Airport, including the construction of a new box hangar and taxilanes. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Grant Agreement represents 95% of eligible project costs for a total of $122,455, leaving the city’s match at $6,445. The Non-Primary Entitlement (NPE) State Block Grant Agreement represents $63,116 at 90% of eligible project costs and $450,000 at 95% of eligible projects costs for a total of $513,166, leaving the city’s match at $30,698. Both grants have the same project completion deadline of Dec. 31st, 2029. The board also approved a subdivision of Lot 4 of the Westwood North Subdivision to Lot 5. The board approved vacating a 40’ wide strip of an undeveloped street, as requested by the Salem Housing Authority and a project developer. This is in anticipation of a proposed multifamily 40-unit housing project development at 301 E. Tenth St. Additionally, the board approved the rezoning of 301 E. Tenth St. from single family residential (R1) to multifamily residential (R3) and, after discussion and review, approved the Spring Creek Ridge subdivision plat, as presented. Finance Director Stacey Houston shared a financial update through August 2026, stating that the total sales tax revenues collected year-to-date for FY 2026-27 are $833,904, including the general fund, parks and recreation fund, and capital improvement fund. This is down approximately 1% from the prior year. The ending total of all funds for FY 2026-27 through August is $17,798,795. The city has brought in 19% of the budgeted amount and expended 18% of the budgeted amount. City Administrator Sally Burbridge shared with the board the list of state and federal legislative concerns that was compiled last year concerning the City of Salem. Burbridge encouraged board members to review the items and consider what needs added to or subtracted from the list. Public Works Director Steve Paine shared that the Wastewater Treatment Plant is healthy and ready for a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) inspection. The water department has hired David Hill as water lead. Construction crew members have replaced curb on N. Main Street, and Paine commended staff for their work on the Healthy Dent County parking lot. After, the board took a vote to enter closed session pertaining to litigation. The next meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be Oct. 13th at 6:00 in the evening at the Old City Hall Auditorium.