Town of Medora approves 2027 budget and employee pay ordinance on first reading

The Town of Medora approved its 2027 budget on first reading and passed an amended salary ordinance on first reading during its Sept. 14, 2026, meeting. Proposed pay changes include a $1,000 increase for the clerk-treasurer, a rise from $65,000 to $66,000 for the maintenance supervisor, Town of Medora council-member compensation increasing from $250 to $300 per month, and a probationary employee’s pay rising from $15 to $15.45 per hour. Jack’s increase is planned for summer 2027. Town of Medora also approved hiring Bobby Bman for two tree removals, contingent on receiving insurance paperwork; his quote was $2,500, compared with $6,100 from Royal Tree Service and $2,400 from Jackson’s Tree Service, which officials said might not be insured or bonded. The town has received a grant and considered an 8% grant-administration contract with Kleinpeter Consulting, but the record does not clearly state a vote approving that contract. Public-safety updates included 31 marshal calls for service and 31 traffic stops, while department computers remained offline. Town of Medora scheduled community trick-or-treating for Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. [00:11:44–00:14:32; 00:01:24–00:04:25; 00:04:48–00:05:58; 00:07:01–00:09:54; 00:14:51–00:15:23]
• The Town of Medora passed its 2027 budget on first reading after holding and closing a public hearing with no public comments recorded.
• The Town of Medora passed an amended salary ordinance on first reading. The proposal adds $1,000 to the clerk-treasurer’s salary, increases the maintenance supervisor from $65,000 to $66,000, raises council-member compensation from $250 to $300 per month—or $3,600 annually—and increases a probationary employee’s hourly pay from $15 to $15.45.
• The Town of Medora plans to increase Jack’s pay in summer 2027 because he has been with the town for less time than other employees. Officials said the maintenance and some water-related salaries are accounted for through water funds rather than the general budget.
• The Town of Medora approved Bobby Bman for removal of two trees, contingent on receiving insurance paperwork. His $2,500 quote was substantially below Royal Tree Service’s $6,100 quote; Jackson’s Tree Service quoted $2,400, but officials questioned whether it was bonded and insured. One tree was leaning near a park fire hydrant and water main, creating a stated infrastructure concern.
• The Town of Medora received a grant, and Kleinpeter Consulting presented a proposed grant-administrator contract charging 8% of grant funds, described as the rate allowed by OKRA. The record does not show a clear vote approving the contract.
• The Town of Medora must move a water line conflicting with a planned replacement of the free-store structure. Officials said the state may reimburse the relocation if the town can prove it has an easement.
• The Town of Medora marshal’s department reported 31 calls for service and 31 traffic stops during the prior month, excluding calls handled by the county. A new hire is continuing field training, and the marshal restarted the DARE program at the school.
• The Town of Medora marshal’s department reported that its desktop computers were down, delaying violation reports; repairs were still pending.
• The Town of Medora scheduled trick-or-treating for Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.