VALLEY — The Valley City Council on Monday approved a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for full- and part-time city employees, awarded the first phase of a multimillion-dollar road project and approved a franchise agreement with Point Broadband.
The council also authorized the sale of city-owned property and approved several items on its consent agenda.
Mayor Leonard Riley opened the meeting with a public hearing on a cost-abatement project at 1411 Columbus Road. The work was estimated at $4,000, with $1,500 in legal fees, for a total cost of $5,500. No one spoke during the hearing, and Riley closed it.
During departmental updates, Valley Parks and Recreation Director John Neal announced a children’s draft triathlon scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday at the Sportsplex. The event will include swimming, running and bicycling competitions for children ages 6 to 12. Registration remains open.
District 4 Councilmember Desmond Reece thanked city employees for their work in his district.
“We get a lot of complaints, but lately I’ve been receiving a lot of good compliments about what’s going on in the city,” Reece said. “So I appreciate you, Patrick, and your team, for what you’re doing in our district.”
District 6 Councilmember Jolanda Barnes also thanked city crews for responding to flooding on 54th Street. She congratulated the Valley Rams football team on its victory over Greenville High School in Greenville.
“I just wanted to congratulate those high school boys for a job well done on their victory over Greenville High School and all three of their past games,” Barnes said. “They are undefeated as of now.”
Riley announced a public hearing scheduled for Oct. 12 on a proposed rezoning at 1646 River Road. The property would be rezoned from C-3, a local business district, to R-2, a residential district.
Valley Code Enforcement Officer Bradley Dunson addressed the council regarding alleged violations at 104 Monk Street and 522 Hall Memorial Circle and requested council action. The council approved the requests.
Council approves employee pay adjustment
The council approved Ordinance 2026-119R, authorizing a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for full- and part-time city employees. The increase will be reflected in paychecks issued Dec. 3 and included in departmental budgets for fiscal year 2026-27.
City Clerk Kathy Snowden said the ordinance was adopted Sept. 14.
Councilmember Jim Jones asked how rising insurance costs would affect employees’ take-home pay.
Snowden said insurance costs are expected to increase by 3.11% in the new year. An employee earning $50,000 annually could see an estimated increase of about $3,400 with single coverage and $2,800 with family coverage after insurance costs are taken into account, she said.
The city pays 95% of the premium for single coverage and 70% for family coverage, according to Snowden.
Council members noted that the adjustment is comparable to the annual cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security, which is about 3.4%.
Webb Utilities awarded road project
The council unanimously awarded the first phase of the 40th Street East Spine Road project to Webb Utilities. The project is identified as 2026-12OR.
City Engineer Scott Harris said the city received two bids. Adams Construction submitted a bid of $3,773,098.76. Harris recommended Webb Utilities despite the company submitting the higher bid. The council approved the recommendation unanimously.
The council also approved Ordinance 2026-1016, authorizing a franchise agreement with Point Broadband. City Attorney [name not provided] reviewed the agreement and determined it was consistent with the city’s other franchise agreements.
The council’s next work session is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at Valley City Hall. The next regular council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, at City Hall.
