The City of Tarkio Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Tarkio City Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted at 6:00 p.m. City Clerk Danielle Kephart gave roll call: Mayor Jeff Agnew; and Aldermen Natasha Baruth, Jeff Olson, and Scott Poppa were present and James Navin was absent. Visitors present were: City of Tarkio employees – Police Chief Tyson Gibbons, Street Superintendent Jamie Quimby, Building Inspector Jesse Payne, and Animal Control/ Parks Superintendent Chris Niles; and citizen Mike Klosek, Sr.

Clerk Kephart swore in Natasha Baruth to the vacant North Ward Alderman position. Mayor Agnew asked for the approval of the August 19, 2026, regular meeting minutes as distributed. Olson made a motion and the motion was seconded and approved.

There were no additions or deletions to the agenda.

Mayor Agnew gave the first reading of Bill 338.26 Ordinance 324.26 An Ordinance Adopting An Amended Budget For The City Of Tarkio’s Fiscal Year April 1, 2026, To March 31, 2027. Olson made a motion to approve Bill 338.26 Ordinance 324.26 and the motion was seconded and approved by all.

Mayor Agnew gave the second reading of Bill 338.26 Ordinance 324.26. Poppa made a motion to approve Bill 338.26 Ordinance 324.26 and the motion was seconded and approved by all. Bill 338.26 Ordinance 324.26 was adopted.

Last month, the aldermen voted to approve a quote for updates to the shelter houses at Doug Summa Memorial Park. Upon further review, the quote was for only one shelter house at Niedermeyer Park. Delmar Schebaum gave a new estimate for the two shelter houses at Summa Park in the amount of $20,846.00. The council requested to get the quote itemized so everything was listed out by cost.

Mayor Agnew stated that it was the time of year to discuss the cost-of-living increases. This will be discussed in closed session.

Mayor Agnew spoke on a few of the questions he had with the ordinances in Chapter 100 of the city code. The council decided they want to look into having a company recodify the current code. Clerk Kephart will look into the cost and get estimates for the board to review.

Department Reports

James Navin, City Buildings – Navin was absent. Clerk Kephart reported that Perry Plumbing and Septic will be looking at fixing the sewer line and sink hole up by the Tarkio Community Building.

Scott Poppa, Tarkio Volunteer Fire Department and Board of Public Works – There was nothing to report from the TFD or BPW.

Tarkio Parks and Recreation – Friendship Day is Saturday, October 3, and the Color Run is Sunday, October 4. The Park Board had to move their monthly meeting to September 16 due to lack of a quorum.

Jeff Olson, Street Department – Jamie Quimby’s report was given:

• RV Park – There are currently four campers using this facility.

• Brush Pile – An individual was caught on camera dumping cement by the brush pile, which is not allowed. Quimby made contact with them and gave a timeline as to when to have it removed. They did comply.

• Signage – Quimby is going to do another audit of street nameplates from 7th to 13th. Once it is done, he will order what is needed and will replace the faded or damaged ones. The nameplates from the audit of 1st to 7th street have all been installed.

• Street Project – Herzog was here prior to the last meeting and completed the matting portion of the project. Since then, they have returned and painted the parking stalls that were on the project list at 3rd and Main to expand parking for the bar.

• Tarkio Board of Public Works – Assistance was given to the Tarkio Board of Public Works on August 26 when they had a water leak on N. 5th Street. Material was moved the night of the leak and hauled away mud and debris. They also helped to move the old south lift station to the old water plant so that parts can be salvaged.

• Millings – Asphalt millings were used on Elm Street on the west side of Hy-Vee. There is an area where delivery trucks often have to leave the street to make the turn into the parking lot. Millings were used to fill in a mud hole that had started and to support the edge of the street to help keep it from starting to break apart.

Mayor Agnew, Gould Peterson Municipal Airport – There was nothing to report.

Chris Niles, Animal Control – There were several dogs picked up in the last month. All were returned to their owners. The city has sold 53 animal licenses this year so far, but there are still several dogs in town that need to be licensed.

Chief Tyson Gibbons, Police Department – Chief Gibbons gave the council a spreadsheet of the traffic stops and incidents that occurred in August.

Clerk Kephart, City Financials – There was nothing further to report.

Olson made a motion to enter into executive session per Chapter 610.021 Section 3 hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting a particular employee, etc. Poppa seconded the motion and the motion passed. Poppa made a motion to close executive session. Olson seconded and the motion passed. The meeting moved back into open session.

Poppa made a motion to approve a 4% cost of living increase for all full-time employees. Olson seconded the motion and three ayes voted to approve the motion and the second. The motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. The next regular city council meeting will be held Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.