Skidmore approves employee benefits changes

By Phil Cobb | June 8, 2026 |

FORUM FILE PHOTO
Skidmore’s Newton Hall

SKIDMORE, Mo. — The following are notes from the minutes of the May 12 regular meeting of the Skidmore Board of Aldermen.

The board approved a new employee vacation and sick leave policy retroactive from Jan. 1. There will be no yearly sick leave carryover and vacation carryover will be no more than double the amount earned yearly by each employee or any unused vacation may be paid out on Dec. 31 each year.
The board approved a $100 monthly insurance reimbursement for maintenance and to continue the reimbursement of $30 monthly for cell phone service.
The water tower USDA loan payment will be a double payment every three months with the additional amount to be applied to the principal.
A $1 increase to the trash bill rate was approved, now making it $23 monthly reflecting the Porter Trash increase.
Mike Reasoner, maintenance operator, reported Smartlevel has been installed and is tracking data on water usage. The city had three individuals apply for the weed-eating positions. Reasoner was to set up interviews.
Wastewater plant improvements needed for the pumphouse are an insulated interior wall, ceiling and a new door. There need to be pads poured for totes, holes filled in, wiring for the plant needs upgraded with a new meter base with disconnect and 3-phase, and buried wire for totes and mechanical bar screen, Reasoner said. Assistant City Clerk Laura Stark will investigate what is needed to advertise for bids for the project.
On the new playground equipment, there needs to be 9-12 inches of mulch for up to a 10-foot fall. The initial installation will need to be 12 inches because of settling.
Reasoner plans to attend a water treatment class in Savannah on July 14-16, 21-23 and 28-30. The cost of class is $875. The city has $625 in blue vouchers to use for the class making the cost for Skidmore $250.
Committee reports included the cemeteries: Alderman James Duncan stated cemeteries are looking good. Mayor Teresa Carter stated on May 20, she and Stark were to put out the American flags on veterans’ graves. On May 21, students from Nodaway-Holt will help get the trailer ready for flowers and put crosses out in Memorial Park. Duncan will put flags up at Hillcrest Cemetery on May 25. Carter stated on June 6 flowers at Hillcrest Cemetery that are not on gravestones will be picked up.
On the parks, Alderman Thomas Wilmes stated work on the new playground equipment at Wildcat Park was to start May 16. Alderman Corbin Hale discussed buying master gang locks for the concession stand.
On the streets, Alderman Tim Slagle stated that the Pine and Spruce streets chip-and-seal is gone and needs to be fixed.
The next meeting will be at 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 9.