Pevely Advances Stormwater Plans, Approves Lift Station Upgrade as Financial Questions Continue
The Pevely Board of Aldermen spent much of its Monday, Sept. 21 meeting discussing infrastructure and city finances, including a major stormwater project aimed at reducing flooding around Peggy Drive, and an emergency electrical upgrade at the Pevely Crossing lift station.
The meeting followed a public hearing on the city's real and personal property tax rate. The board later approved Bill 2026/113 establishing the city's 2026 tax rate. The ordinance sets the levy at $0.4116 per $100 of assessed valuation, which is an increase of 0.0022.
During the public hearing, a resident questioned the increase and asked whether the city was doing enough to control spending before raising the rate.
Haggerty pointed to the metal detector at City Hall as one example of an expenditure he questioned, saying he had frequently seen it turned off or operating without someone actively monitoring it.
City officials explained during the discussion that the change amounted to less than a penny in the tax rate and that the rate is calculated through the state process, although the Board of Aldermen still votes on whether to adopt it.
Stormwater plan shifts toward underground box culvert
A lengthy presentation from Cochran's engineering team focused on efforts to address flooding around Peggy Drive and surrounding neighborhoods.
Engineers said repairs already completed at the city's sinkhole and an associated outfall structure have improved conditions, but flooding continues when the existing drainage channel overtops.
The broader plan includes detention areas intended to slow stormwater during and after rainfall.
One proposed detention area is near Ashton Village. City officials said progress there has stalled because they have struggled to get cooperation or even consistent communication from the property's ownership and management.
A second proposed detention basin near Landmark has progressed further. Engineers told the board they are preparing design documents for the property owner, who has indicated a willingness to continue working with the city. The hope to see significant agreements in place by mid-October.
The most significant change presented Monday involves the drainage channel itself.
Instead of constructing the previously discussed open channel, engineers are now proposing an approximately eight-foot-wide by four-foot-high underground box culvert running generally from the Bon Jovi Court area toward Banks.
The box would carry most of the stormwater underground while a smaller drainage area would remain above it so runoff from neighboring yards could still reach the system. Existing storm pipes would eventually connect into the larger structure.
Engineers said the revised design should require less property than the open-channel alternative, eliminate the need for fencing and provide easier long-term maintenance while remaining at roughly the same estimated cost.
The projects are being designed together because the detention basins, Peggy Drive improvements, and the drainage channel all affect one another.
Engineers cautioned that construction is not imminent. Designs must still be completed, and the city will need easements from affected property owners. They explained that timing will depend largely on the community completing and returning the paperwork they will be sending out for the easement acquisition process.
Officials also discussed eminent domain as a possible option if necessary easements could not be obtained, although both city officials and engineers emphasized their preference for cooperation with property owners. The engineering team also said alternative detention locations could be considered if an agreement cannot eventually be reached with Ashton Village.
City approves $20,000 lift station electrical upgrade
Another major discussion centered on continuing problems at the Pevely Crossing lift station.
Public Works requested $20,000 to upgrade the station's electrical system, which currently operates on single-phase power.
The city has already installed two new pumps costing approximately $20,000 each, but Public Works told the board the pumps have continued experiencing problems because the electrical system is not providing sufficient power.
Staff said the city has gone through approximately 10 start capacitors and has repeatedly needed emergency pumping services to prevent sewage from overflowing.
The outside pumping service has cost approximately $3,600 per day on some weekends, according to the presentation, while city employees have also been responding repeatedly during nights and weekends.
Public Works said electricians and others who have examined the system have recommended converting it to three-phase power.
The Board ultimately approved moving forward with the electrical upgrade.
The discussion also led to a broader concern about how emergency infrastructure expenses are communicated to the board. Several officials said problems of this size should reach aldermen earlier rather than allowing the city to accumulate emergency-service costs while waiting for the next regular meeting.
Public Works is also reviewing the city's inventory of spare pumps after discovering some equipment had been mislabeled, making it difficult to determine which pumps fit which stations.
Residents connected to the lift-station system have previously been given notices about materials that should not be flushed. Staff said wipes, grease and other materials continue creating problems for the pumps.
Public Works also notified the board that portions of Old Town will eventually require a scheduled water shutdown because of problems isolating water lines following recent main breaks. No date has been established. Residents in affected areas are expected to receive notices once the shutdown is scheduled.
New auditing and financial software agreements approved
The board also approved Resolution 2026/014, continuing annual auditing services with F.E.W. CPAs.
The city's resolution covers audits for the years ending Dec. 31, 2026, 2027 and 2028.
City officials said the auditing work was put out for bids, but F.E.W., the city's current auditor, was the only firm that responded. Officials said the company had performed well for the city previously.
The board also approved Resolution 2026/015 entering into a five-year agreement with BS&A Cloud for new financial software and services.
According to the resolution, setup, training, importing, implementation and the first year's subscription total $134,820. Annual subscription costs are listed at $26,915 beginning in the second year, covering the modules included in the agreement along with support and updates.
During discussion, officials said several companies had submitted proposals and that BS&A was not simply selected as the lowest initial bidder. One proposal that appeared inexpensive included a number of additional charges, while another proposal from a West Coast company was described as costing roughly $350,000 annually.
Questions remain over department budget tracking
Financial oversight returned later in the meeting when Alderman Stephanie McCain asked about monthly department budget reports and how supervisors know how much money remains available in individual budget lines.
McCain said department supervisors approve and code expenditures, but questioned how they can determine whether sufficient money remains in a particular account if updated accounting reports are delayed.
She also asked when the city stopped routinely producing the monthly budget reports that had previously been provided.
City staff said financial information can be printed by department, but also explained that portions of the city's accounting functions are still being handled during the transition from the existing system.
McCain said she was not seeking an immediate answer Monday but wanted the information available at the next meeting.
Alderman Michael Hite also suggested future finance meetings be given more time so aldermen can work through financial questions in greater detail.
Photography costs discussed
The city also discussed the cost of having professional headshots taken for board members and city employees.
After reviewing photography costs, it was suggested that the city consider handling headshots in-house rather than hiring an outside photographer.
No formal action was requested Monday.
The meeting closed with several major projects still moving forward, including the city's stormwater improvements, the Pevely Crossing lift station upgrade and the transition to new financial software. Board members also indicated that questions about department spending and budget reporting will continue at future meetings as the city works through those changes.