The St. John Town Council on Oct. 8 approved a slate of routine financial, personnel and capital actions by unanimous vote (4-0). The council approved seven purchase requests, accepted accounts-payable vouchers, adopted salary and timekeeping ordinance updates, authorized park construction bidding, and approved a small construction change order for a parking expansion.

Financial approvals: The council approved seven requests to purchase with a combined total of $44,340.92. Items listed by staff included police ammunition ($5,000), unleaded fuel ($15,092.76), asphalt patching ($4,200), a water meter ($4,348.16), guardrail repair ($5,150), a Nearmap subscription ($5,450) for building/planning/public works, and plaques for the community center ($5,100). The council then approved Accounts Payable Voucher No. 2 dated Oct. 8, 2025, in the combined total of $970,715.99.

Salary and personnel measures: Councilors considered Ordinance 18-75, the 2026 salary ordinance establishing wages, salaries and benefits for town employees and elected officials, on second reading and approved it 4-0. The ordinance includes a 3% increase for elected official stipends and adjustments to department pay rates. The council also approved Ordinance 18-76 on first reading, an amendment to record firefighters' hours under a new timekeeping system without reducing their prior compensation; a second reading was scheduled as required.

Budget transfers and resolutions: The council adopted a set of transfer-of-appropriation resolutions for the town and its utilities (Resolutions 2020Five-ten-08A through 08E), each described by staff as moving funds between lines within existing budgets rather than adding funds to the overall budget. The council passed each resolution by unanimous vote.

Parks and public works projects: The council approved Change Order No. 1 to Altoff Incorporated for the Prairie West parking-lot expansion in the amount of $25,249.50, to be paid from the stormwater fund. Councilors said additional stone and stormwater basin work discovered during excavation required the change order. The council also authorized SEH and Core Construction to issue public notice and solicit bids for the Hartland Park expansion; SEH project manager Glenn Peterson and Chris Detmar of Core Construction outlined a schedule with a targeted Nov. 12 bid opening and a recommendation to return to council the following week with final numbers.

Other actions: The council approved a special exception for a private sports court at 8282 Morningcrest Court based on a favorable Board of Zoning Appeals recommendation. The council also approved the release of the Water Works Rights and Easement Agreement related to the annexation matter after staff and the attorney confirmed the paperwork was in order.

All motions recorded at the meeting passed unanimously (4-0). Council members and staff noted upcoming budget hearings, a planned rollout of new payroll software in November, and ongoing work on a consolidated comprehensive development ordinance by the town's building and planning staff.

Votes at a glance (selected items)
- Purchase requests (7 items): Approved; combined total $44,340.92; vote 4-0.
- Accounts Payable Voucher No. 2 (10/08/2025): Approved; $970,715.99; vote 4-0.
- Ordinance 18-75 (2026 salary ordinance): Adopted on second reading; vote 4-0.
- Ordinance 18-76 (timekeeping amendment for firefighters): Passed first reading; vote 4-0.
- Resolutions 2020Five-ten-08A through 08E (transfer appropriations): Adopted; vote 4-0 on each.
- Altoff Inc. Change Order No. 1 (Prairie West parking expansion) $25,249.50: Approved; vote 4-0.
- Authorize SEH/Core Construction to notice bids (Hartland Park expansion): Approved; vote 4-0.
- Special exception for sports court at 8282 Morningcrest Court: Approved; vote 4-0.

Why it matters: The approvals move forward several capital and operating items in the town budget, including park expansions, stormwater work, and payroll adjustments. Staff and council repeatedly emphasized that several items were transfers within existing appropriation lines and that the overall fiscal position of the town is stable based on recent budget presentations.

Next steps: Staff to proceed with the Hartland Park bidding schedule, process change-order payments for Prairie West from the stormwater fund, implement the new payroll software rollout beginning with the fire department in November, and return attendance or budgetary recommendations to council as specified.