After some discussion, the Warrenton Board of Alderman approved by a 5-0 vote a bid from Lamke Trenching and Excavating for the North Service Road Sewer extension project that was nearly $50,000 over the amount the city budgeted for the project.

The winning bid by Lamke was $109,089, while the proposed budget for the project was only $59,160. Lamke’s winning bid was the low bid on the project with Semke Grading & Pipe Works’ bid coming in at $116,398 and Girdner Contracting coming in at $132,570.

In response to a question from Alderman Josh Chandler regarding the reason for the price being higher than the budgeted amount, Public Works Director Guy Gevers said that the majority of items used for the project are petroleum products and “everything is high right now,” with respect to pricing.

Gevers said the additional revenue to pay for the difference in price would come from the city’s infiltration and inflow fund, which covers infiltration coming into the sewer mains. Gevers said that account has approximately $100,000 in it. The vote was 5-0 as Alderman Larry Corder recused himself from the vote as he has family that works with Lamke.

The board also approved by a 6-0 vote a mutual aid agreement between Warrenton and Kansas City for the 2026 FIFA World Cup from June 11-16. Police Chief Larry Ellard said that Kansas City had sent out a request for additional officers to assist with security during the World Cup. He said that as part of the agreement Kansas City would pay for all direct and indirect payroll costs for Warrenton officers to attend and work the event. He said the department has several officers who want to go on their off hours to work the event.

Ellard said the memorandum of understanding as part of the mutual aid agreement would be temporary and would expire at the end of June. He also assured the board having officers work the World Cup would not affect their city duties.

The board also heard a presentation from Deana Dothage with the University of Missouri Extension, who spoke about the programs offered. She said the extension department offers 120 different programs, but she spoke specifically during the May 5 meeting about two programs: “Becoming an Engaged Neighbor” and “Christmas Cards for Soldiers Serving Overseas.” Dothage said the Becoming an Engaged Neighbor program is a statewide one-hour program that is free to participants. She said she would like to partner with the city on the program and perhaps bring it to the annex building where board meetings are held or perhaps another location.

Dothage said the Christmas card program is an extension service project out of St. Charles County, but she would also like to include Warrenton in the program. She said that last year she obtained 6,000 signed cards from people to send to soldiers overseas.

Mayor Eric Schleuter suggested perhaps incorporating the program into the city’s Downtown Christmas event or as part of the city’s Fall Festival event to help bring awareness to the program.