META — Meta aldermen approved the city’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget during its June 18 meeting, adopting a spending plan that city officials said contains few changes from the previous year while allowing for continued investment in the community’s water system.

The new budget largely mirrors last year’s financial plan. Aldermen expect to repair water lines as needed during the coming fiscal year while also making improvements to the community’s pump house.

The operating fund anticipates $182,300 in revenue during the 2026-27 fiscal year. The largest source is property taxes ($75,000), followed by sales taxes ($35,000), franchise fees ($25,000), utility taxes ($20,000), licenses and permits ($6,000), interest income ($5,000), fines and court costs ($4,000), gasoline tax revenue ($3,000), liquor licenses ($3,000), road and bridge taxes ($2,000), motor vehicle sales taxes ($1,300), permits ($1,000), donations ($500) and reimbursements ($500). No revenue is budgeted from federal grants, ARPA grant income or stormwater project income.

Planned operating fund expenditures total $136,400, with the largest appropriations including the city clerk’s salary ($15,000), insurance premiums ($14,500), electric service ($12,000), the treasurer’s salary ($10,000), maintenance equipment and supplies ($10,000), maintenance employee wages ($9,000), fireworks ($7,500), elected officials’ salaries ($6,000), payroll taxes ($4,500), dues and subscriptions ($1,500), fuel ($1,500), contract services ($1,200), advertising ($1,000), training ($1,000), postage ($1,000), telephone ($100) and mileage reimbursement ($100).

In related news, aldermen also approved an ordinance amending the current 2025-26 budget to reflect actual revenues and expenditures before adopting the new budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

In other business, City Clerk Deidra Buechter told the board that she is still working to secure a contractor for the culvert issue near Linn Street.

• The board approved renewal of the city’s Missouri Public Entity Risk Management Fund insurance coverage for $10,951. The policy also was expanded to include $50,000 in coverage for the city’s new walking trail. Buechter told the board the additional coverage will result in a small premium increase.

• Aldermen also approved an engagement letter with Gerding, Korte & Chitwood CPAs to perform the city’s fiscal year 2025-26 audit at a cost of $9,800.

* The city also reviewed options for converting its accounting system from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online through Hood & Associates, CPAs. Clerk Buechter estimated ongoing accounting services would increase from approximately $625 to $665 per month, including a monthly charge of $165 for QuickBooks Online.

Buechter added that Hood would help the city transfer accounts.

• During the city maintenance report, Alderman Otto Wankum reported operations were proceeding well. Crews will continue mowing as needed, power-wash tables and benches at the city park, and paint park facilities once weather permits.

• City Attorney James Klahr of Lauber Municipal Law reported there were no new developments, adding work continues on current legal matters.

• No engineer’s report was presented.

FINANCIAL NEWS

• In her regular monthly financial report, Treasurer Karla Buechter noted income/deposits of $28,909.02 and debits of $35.585.23 for a balance on hand as of May 29 totaling $661,427.10; the money market balance was $143,968.48, the CDBG balance was $97,129.12, and two certificates of deposit totaled $175,000, giving the city a total of $1,077.524.70 in all accounts.

WATER UPDATE

• A total of $6,450.48 in water sales was recorded in April, with $1,845 charged for trash, $300 in late fees, and $221.83 in sales tax. Total charges were $8,817.31 with a previous surplus of $120.83 and payments received in the amount of $8,495.83, leaving a balance due of $200.65.

• Meta’s water loss was 42%, with 596,981 gallons pumped, 348,116 gallons sold, leaving 248,865 gallons unaccounted for.

• The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. July 9.