Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes

LOWRY CITY BOARD OF ALDERMEN

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 6:00 pm

Draft Minutes

Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance:
            Mayor Greg BeVelle called the regular session of the Lowry City Board of Aldermen to order at 6 p.m. in the council room at city hall. Board members attending included East Ward Aldermen Charles Cone and Cecil Shehorn and West Ward Aldermen Sean Langston and Clark Patterson. City Clerk John Farrell, Police Chief Michael Dawes and Fire Chief Justin Norris were in attendance along with several people from the community. Notice of the meeting was given pursuant to RSMo. 610.020.
            The Pledge of Allegiance was led by BeVelle.

Approval of Minutes:

            The board reviewed the regular session minutes from September 15, 2026. Cone moved and Langston seconded to approve the minutes. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

            The board reviewed the closed session minutes from September 15, 2026. Langston moved and Shehorn seconded to approve the minutes. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Bills:   
            A list of bills from September 15, 2026 through October 20, 2026 was presented for approval. Shehorn moved and Patterson seconded the motion to approve the bills presented. The motion passed unanimously.

Financial reports:
            Financial reports for the month ending September 30, 2026 were presented and reviewed. The mayor noted total income is at 18.6 percent and total expenses at 17.1 percent of budgeted amount for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

            The reports were unanimously approved on a motion from Langston and a second from Patterson.

Old or unfinished business:
            Update on audit of the city’s financials- Farrell explained he solicited a bid from Decker & Pace for audit of city financials. The firm suggested audit for FY 2025 and FY 2026 and submitted bid at a cost of $7,500 for each year. 
            On a motion from Langston and a second from Patterson the board voted unanimously to accept the bid from Decker and Pace and move forward with the audits for the years ending June 30, 2025, and 2026 and then after completion, go back and catch up 2022, 2023 and 2024 with a review report as suggested by the company. Patterson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.         

            Bill 2026-04 Water Rate Increase- Cone moved to have the first reading of Bill 2026-04 Water and Sewer Rate Ordinance for the City of Lowry City, Missouri. Langston seconded and the vote was unanimous in favor.
            The mayor read the bill in its entirety. The minimum charge will be $50 (2,000-Gallon or Less) with $3.47 per 1,000 gallons after. The business minimum will be $51.40, and residents without sewer will have a minimum of $28.93. Sewer charges shall be 75% of total water usage.

            Cone moved to accept the first reading of the bill. Patterson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor. Langston moved to have the second reading of the bill by title only. Shehorn seconded and the vote was unanimous in favor. BeVelle read the bill by title only. Langston moved to adopt the bill as Ordinance 2026-04. Shehorn seconded and a roll call vote was taken with all voting in favor. It was noted the new rates will appear on the November 2026 bill.

New business:

            Julia Damer request for reimbursement- Farrell read a letter received from Lowry City resident Julia Damer requesting reimbursement for alleged damage to plumbing fixtures from sediment in city water following a leak and flushing of city lines. The matter was discussed and no action was taken.

Public input-comments or questions

            The mayor announced Trunk or Treat will be held on Oct. 31 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. in the Truman Lake Manor in the parking lot at 600 E. 7th Street He noted the event is co-sponsored by the Lowry City Community Betterment and the public is invited to attend for hot dogs and treats. Different groups are welcome to join in passing out treats from their trunks. Those interested in setting up a trunk or treat table are urged to contact Amy Dwyer, 417-644-2248.

Department and group reports/updates:
City Hall: 
            Farrell said he had nothing to report.

Police Department: 
            Police Chief Dawes gave a brief report noting nine stops in September and eight stops in October thus far.

Fire Department:

            Fire Chief Norris reported 14 calls for service including nine medical calls, four natural cover fires and one structure fire. The total logged man-hours were 52 hours and 21 minutes. There were 68 hours of training logged for the month. He said there were 32 cars at a recent car show hosted by the woman’s auxiliary.

            Norris reported issues with radio communications that have since been resolved. The chief said an issue with one of the department’s trucks was discovered during a recent pump test. He said the cost of the repair to the truck is unknown until further research is completed but worst case, the pump may require replacement. Norris noted this is the main pumper for the city and other nearby agencies have been notified of the situation. On a motion from Langston and a second from Shehorn the board unanimously authorized up to $15,000 for the repair of the truck.                                                                                                      

Public Works: 
            Water Sewer Superintendent Deryk Meyer was absent but left a report for the board. The report stated staff has continued efforts to maintain the cemetery in satisfactory condition along with regular mowing of streets and the park.

            The report noted one cremation burial and one traditional burial service took place this month. Meyer explained Evergy is replacing the satellite equipment on top of the water tower this week and work will most likely be completed October 22-23.

            Meyer said the rear bearing on the motor powering pump two at the south lift station failed, resulting in poor motor performance and excessive noise. The part was ordered and scheduled to be replaced Oct. 21.

            The superintendent will be attending the Missouri Rural Water Association’s annual training conference in Columbia October 22-23.

Mayor’s notes: BeVelle stated he had nothing to add.

Adjournment of regular open session:

            Patterson moved and Shehorn seconded to adjourn the regular meeting and the vote was unanimous and the meeting adjourned.

Public Hearing
Increase In Water Rates
Tuesday, October 20, 2025 at 5:45 p.m.

On Tuesday, October 20, the Lowry City Board of Aldermen held a public hearing at 5:45 p.m. in the council room at city hall. Mayor Greg Bevelle called of the hearing to order. Board members attending included East Ward Aldermen Charles Cone
and Cecil Shehorn and West Ward Aldermen Sean Langston and Clark Patterson. City Clerk John Farrell was in attendance along with several local residents. Notice of the hearing was posted at Lowry City Hall and also ran as an ad in the St. Clair County
Courier.

It was noted a proposal to increase the water and sewer rates has been prepared by city staff by direction of the board.
Residential Minimum Charge (2,000-Gallons or Less)
Current Rate                                        Proposed Rate
Tax $ 043                                              $ 0.56
Sewer $16.02                                        $21.07
DNR Fee $ 027                                     $ 027
Total Monthly Minimum: $ 38.08         $50.00
Usage over 2,000 gallons $ 2.80 /1,000 gallons $ 3.47 /1,000 gallons
Business
Current Rate                                     Proposed Rate
Water $21.36                                    $28.10
Tax $ 1.84                                         $ 1.96
Sewer $16.02                                   $21.07
DNR Fee $ .027                                $ .027
Total Monthly Minimum: $ 39.49      $51.40
‘Water customers without sewer (Chester Line Included)
Current Rate                                 Proposed Rate
Water $21.36                               $28.10
Tax $ 052                                      $ 0.56
DNR Fee $ 027                             $ .027
Total Monthly Minimum: $ 22.06 $28.93
Discussion followed.
Bill 2026-04, an ordinance establishing water and sewer rates is on the agenda for
the regular meeting following this public hearing.