Town of Medora approves 2027 budget on first reading and advances salary increases

The Town of Medora approved its 2027 budget on first reading and advanced a salary ordinance with several proposed pay increases. The Town of Medora also approved hiring a local contractor for two hazardous tree removals, pending proof of insurance, and received confirmation that a grant was awarded; a grant-administration contract would pay Kleinpeter Consulting 8% of grant funds. Public-safety updates included 31 marshal calls for service and 31 traffic stops last month, while department computers remained out of service. Town of Medora officials set trick-or-treating for Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. Final budget and ordinance action was not shown in the supplied record. [00:04:12-00:04:22; 00:05:17-00:05:56; 00:07:01-00:07:20; 00:13:21-00:14:32; 00:14:51-00:15:23]
• The Town of Medora approved the 2027 budget on first reading after holding and closing a public hearing with no recorded public comments. The record does not state the budget's total amount or show final adoption.
• The Town of Medora advanced a salary ordinance on first reading. Proposed changes included a $1,000 increase for the clerk-treasurer, raising that salary to $32,000; a $1,000 increase for maintenance supervision, from $65,000 to $66,000; town-council pay rising from $250 to $300 per month, or $3,600 annually; and a probationary employee's pay rising from $15 to $15.45. A marshal's increase was deferred until summer 2027.
• The Town of Medora approved Bobby Bman's bid for removing two trees for $2,500, contingent on submission of insurance paperwork. Other quoted prices were $6,100 from Royal Tree Service and $2,400 from Jackson's Tree Service, whose insurance status was uncertain. Officials cited a leaning tree near a park fire hydrant and possible water-main damage as safety concerns.
• The Town of Medora received confirmation that its grant was awarded and considered a grant-administrator contract with Kleinpeter Consulting at 8% of the grant funds, paid from the grant. The record does not identify the total grant amount or show a separate vote approving the contract.
• The Town of Medora must move a water line that conflicts with a planned replacement of the free-store structure. The state may reimburse the relocation if the town can prove it has an easement; officials were still searching for right-of-way documentation.
• The Town of Medora marshal's department reported 31 calls for service and 31 traffic stops during the previous month, excluding county-covered calls. A new hire was continuing field training, and the department restarted the DARE program at the school. New Washington State Bank donated $1,000 and Bundy's donated $300 toward the program.
• The Town of Medora's marshal's department reported that its desktop computers were down, delaying violation reports; a technician was expected to address the problem. The department was temporarily working from an office provided by the school.
• The Town of Medora set community trick-or-treating for Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.