Palmyra City Council Approves Fiscal Year 2027 Budgets, Swears in Newly Elected Members

By Ella Aguilar

The Palmyra City Council met April 16 in the Palmyra Council Chambers, approving the city’s fiscal year 2027 budgets, adopting updated electrical rates, and swearing in newly elected council members following certification of the April 7 municipal election results.

Before the regular meeting, Mayor Alan Adrian opened a public hearing concerning the fiscal year 2026-2027 budgets for General and Street, Board of Public Works, and Parks and Recreation at 7 p.m. With no public comments presented, the hearing closed one minute later.

During new business, the council unanimously approved Resolution No.2026-03, amending the city’s policy manual to reflect updated electrical rates for fiscal years 2027 through 2029—the city’s fiscal year ended April 30, with fiscal year 2027 officially beginning May 1.

According to documents presented during the meeting, residential monthly availability fees will increase from $14.50 in FY2026 to $16.30 in FY2027, with additional gradual increases planned through FY2029. Commercial and industrial rates will also see incremental increases over the next three fiscal years. The adopted rate adjustments also included changes to commercial energy charge blocks, industrial demand charges, and security and floodlight rental fees. Purchased power adjustment charges were reduced from $0.01379 to $0.00379 under the updated structure.

Council members also unanimously adopted the fiscal year 2027 budgets for General and Street, Parks and Recreation, and the Board of Public Works.

Board of Public Works updates were provided by Council Member Steve Bland, who reported the city is currently conducting interviews for a lineman position and continues efforts to obtain easements.

The council also officially accepted the results of the April 7 municipal election. Certified election totals included Kelly Walotka receiving 164 votes for First Ward council member, Clay Thornburg defeating Terry Robertson in the Second Ward race by a vote of 111 to 76, and Eddie Kamm receiving 199 votes in the Third Ward race.

During the reorganizational portion of the meeting, the council elected Brock Fahy to serve as mayor pro tem. Fahy abstained from the vote.

Council members also discussed concerns regarding ownership and maintenance responsibilities of a wall adjacent to the city-owned vacant lot and Chevy’s. The council authorized City Attorney James Lemon to contact Chevy’s owner, Doug Dry, about establishing a party wall agreement to clarify ownership and maintenance obligations.

Council Member Clay Thornburg raised ongoing concerns regarding stray and nuisance cats within the city. Thornburg said residents continue to report property damage caused by male cats spraying. He asked Police Chief Mike Baker to document cat and dog complaints to assist the city in obtaining grant funding to address animal control issues.

Council Member Eddie Kamm also shared residents’ concerns about sewer charges for water that does not enter the sewer system.

Chief Mike Baker informed the council that he has a meeting scheduled with the mayor of Canton, Missouri, regarding the possibility of Palmyra Police Department officers assisting with training a newly hired Canton police officer.

Thursday, May 7th

The Palmyra City Council met on May 7 and discussed FEMA reimbursement concerns related to the city’s 2019 flood recovery culvert projects, while also approving several infrastructure and development-related items on the agenda.

City officials reviewed information from the State Emergency Management Agency regarding FEMA’s ongoing review of culvert upgrades completed on East Olive, North Lane, West Main Cross, and North Spring following the 2019flooding disaster.

According to city officials, the original FEMA award totaled approximately $1.88 million, with FEMA responsible for 75% of the project cost. However, construction expenses exceeded the original award by approximately $370,000 due to additional work discovered during construction and project delays.

Officials said FEMA presented the city with two options for closing out the project. One option would allow the project to close immediately at the currently obligated funding amount. At the same time, the second would require a lengthy line-by-line review of costs that could increase or decrease eligible reimbursements.

The city also reviewed the financial impacts of the project. Officials said HOMEBANK provided a line of credit to fund construction upfront, with the balance reaching nearly $1.87 million. As of April 29, the city owed approximately $819,574, including accrued interest.

Council members approved an engineering services agreement with Klingner & Associates for the MoDOT TAP Grant Project #9900-273 involving ADA-compliant sidewalks along the west side of Main Street between Church Street and Main Cross Street.

The council also reviewed a structural assessment quote from MECO Engineering Company for inspections of nuisance buildings located at 111, 113, 115, and 117 South Main Street. The proposal totaled $5,500.

Resolution No. 2026-04, the city’s annual ethics resolution, was approved. The resolution formally establishes Chapter 120 of the city code as Palmyra’s method for disclosing potential conflicts of interest and substantial financial interests in compliance with Missouri ethics laws.

Council members additionally completed the first reading of Bill No. 1676, an ordinance accepting the replatting of property owned by Robert and Patty Hall into Hall’s Subdivision Lots 1 and 2. The property would remain zoned Commercial C-1.

Department reports highlighted ongoing storm cleanup and infrastructure work throughout the city. The Street Department reported crews had been busy clearing tree limbs and debris, repairing washouts, patching holes, and cleaning stormwater inlets following recent storms.

The Board of Public Works also reported storm-related electrical damage between April 17 and April 20, including broken poles, damaged lines, and outages.

Police Chief Mike Baker informed the council that Anthony Shaffer began training with the Palmyra Police Department on April 29 as part of an agreement assisting the Canton Police Department.

Water and Wastewater Manager Dustin Smith reported continued work on utility easements connected to sewer main and raw water line projects, along with repairs involving the wastewater plant UV system.

Parks and Recreation officials reported the Foster Field infield project has been completed and is performing well, while preparations continue for the summer pool season and youth ball programs.