CHAMOIS — Chamois aldermen, at their meeting on Friday, approved a Water and Wastewater Service agreement between the city and Mid-Mo Operations to continue their services for a year at a cost of $2,000 per month.

Chamois contracted with Mid-Mo Operations last year for the monthly rate of $1,200. The company indicated the cost increase was due to inflation. The scope of work the firm will do for the city is the same as last year. The agreement states that Mid-Mo Operations will assist the city in “maintaining, operating, and making minor repairs to the water and wastewater treatment plant in accordance with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR).”

The monthly charge is based on one visit to the city per week. Work that needs to be done outside the general scope of services will cost $100 per hour per person plus an additional $75 mobilization fee.

“Is there any choice except to accept this agreement?” Alderman Cole Schaben asked.

Mayor Marie Slusser explained the city needs Mid-Mo Operations to meet the certifications required by DNR.

Slusser hopes that utilities employee Jake Shockley will be able to attend training and pass his certification training and the city will no longer need Mid-Mo Operations.

At the December meeting, aldermen tabled any decision on Shockley’s training until they were able to talk to him about whether he would feel comfortable taking online classes.

“Jake has agreed to do the online classes as soon as we can get him in,” Slusser said. “We need to increase the number of hours he is able to work to between 20 and 35.”

Unterrified Democrat Reporter Theresa Brandt questioned whether or not that would make him a full-time employee and whether he would receive any benefits from the city.

“I don’t believe we offer any insurance or benefits,” Slusser said.

“We have had them in the past,” City Clerk Megan Birmingham said.

Slusser restated that in the past, full-time employees were given a monthly stipend to purchase their own health insurance for $500 per month. “I don’t believe we included any of that in the budget,” she added.

City Treasurer Theresa Walter said that money toward Shockley’s health insurance had not been included in the budget, but neither were the increased costs of more hours, training, increased payroll taxes, and liability insurance.

“But we won’t have to pay Mid-Mo Operations next year so that cost will be deducted,” Slusser answered.

Walter agreed that if the city didn’t need Mid-Mo Operations, that would save money, but the savings would not be seen for another year.

Aldermen discussed keeping Shockley’s hours under 31 hours so he wouldn’t be considered a full-time employee.

“From his understanding of what we told him, he was going to be full-time, and he would be compensated for his insurance like the previous two full-time employees,” Schaben said. “He thinks he is getting something for his insurance. We are going to have to put him on full-time. He’s been working part-time for months. We’ve told him he would be going full-time. He’s stuck with it. He’s been remarkable as far as I’ve seen. I’m optimistic about him doing the classes. I think we should put him on full-time.”

“Jake has been doing a good job,” Alderman Shawn Mitchem agreed.

Birmingham was not sure that they would be able to sign him up for classes by the next meeting.

Slusser suggested keeping Shockley’s hours just under full-time employment (32 hours) status until they could check into the dates of the classes and what the city was legally responsible for providing for full-time employees.

The board approved Shockley for 20-31 hours per week, with no additional benefits or compensation until Birmingham can find out when he can be enrolled in water and wastewater classes.

* Aldermen approved a payment of $1,481 to Byrne & Jones Construction for continued work on the Lead Line Service project, of which, $681 of the total was designated for administrative work and $800 was for visual inspections.

* The board also approved the annual renewal of Sea Level Services for $300. Birmingham reported that the city has been using the service for years to monitor the lift stations.

* Aldermen approved $210 for one load of rock, as requested by Shockley, to make repairs on several gravel streets. Slusser noted that additional loads may be needed.

* Republic Services did not provide the new contract to the city in time for the meeting. The deadline to have the new contract in place is still March 1. Slusser warned that she may need to call a special meeting to review the agreement.

* Aldermen approved $6,808.76 in outstanding bills.

* Chamois had the following ending accounts balances: cemetery fund ($10,401.27), general fund ($21,253.56), water fund ($241,039.87), sewer fund ($118,974.78), city Community Block Development Grant (CBDG) in and out ($10), city park ($10,478.37), American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) ($69,713.68), sewer repair, ($6,954.62), sewer bond reserve ($26,817.47), city cemetery ($20,884.44), meter deposits ($13,799.53), street ($20,021.88), online bill pay ($6,204.43), city police ($561.50), city cemetery ($20, 736.50), and water repair ($25,117.72).

* The city holds five certificates of deposit totaling $12,251.63.

* There was no water report for December.

* The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Friday, February 21 at 6:30 pm.