The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

Published January 8, 2025

City starts new year, new budget with spending

OSAGE BEACH – Since it’s the beginning of the year and a new budget has taken over that means time to spend money, which was the major issue addressed at last Thursday’s Board of Aldermen meeting.

Most of the issues were for the Public Works Department so their Christmas present came in January.

• The board approved the first reading for the purchase of two service bodies for an amount not to exceed $82,291.75.

These service bodies (to be purchased from Knapheide Truck Equipment Center) will be mounted on the two service trucks the city uses that were purchased in the summer of 2024.

One of the beds (the sewer bed) is more expensive because of the crane required to pull and load sewer pumps.

• The board agreed to buy a boom mower from ATMAX Equipment Company for a price not to exceed $287,109.38.

Public Works Operations Manager Zak Wilber told the board that they have tried using mower attachments to do this work but usually bend the control arms. This purchase would solve the problem.

“We demoed the mower this summer and feel confident in its abilities,” Wilber told the board in his written comments. “Along with maintaining our right of way, we will also utilize the mower to maintain sewer and water easements, plow snow, and blow leaves.”

The city had budgeted $347,200 in 2025 in this section for “Machinery & Equipment” which is where this money will come from.

• The board agreed to spend $42,975 to rebuild five sewer pumps.

Wilber said this is the first time he knows of that these pumps have been rebuilt. Replacing the five pumps with new ones would cost $102,820.50. By having them rebuilt it will save the city money.

The rebuilt pumps will be painted a specific color so the city knows which pumps have been rebuilt so they can track how well they do.

The board then had a choice in the purchase of two service trucks with a crane capable of pulling the 201 HP pumps at the Sands lift station.

One truck, a new Ford F550 would cost $174,989 while the other, a 2023 Chevy 5500, would cost $154,700.

Wilber said that the Chevy 5500 is a heavier built truck than the F550 but does not have the $8,000 welding unit.

The city would save a significant amount of money by purchasing the 2023 model. That also depends if the truck has not been purchased already since it was currently up for sale.

If the city does acquire the Chevy, the Public Works Department would like to install an inverter and a light on the crane, which is estimated to bring the total vehicle price to $157,700.

The aldermen approved the purchase of the Chevy.

• The board approved the initial start-up cost for Heartland Environmental for an amount not to exceed $81,800.

This has to do with extending the life of sewer components and helping to eliminate the sewer smell that can creep up at various parts of the city.

Wilber again explained how this will work.

“This purchase is for the initial startup of the bacteria drip and aerator setup by Heartland Environmental. The initial setup will add aeration to 58 lift stations and start a bacteria drip on 7 new sites. This technology uses a bacteria-driven approach to control the H2S in the sewer system. The main goal of this program is to reduce the H2S in the system to limit harmful corrosion and degradation of electrical and mechanical components to extend asset life. Additional benefits will include odor control and removing the fat, oil, and grease built up in the system. Additional bacteria drips or aerators may need to be added as we develop the program. This will be a holistic approach to controlling H2S for the entire system that revolves around low-cost equipment and minimum maintenance.”

The city has budgeted $1,411,714 for Lift Station Improvements for 2025 and this purchase will come out of that.

Finally, the board approved the purchase of ten 2hp pumps from Municipal Equipment for a price not to exceed $26,287.50.

These pumps (Sulzer sewer pumps) are coming from Municipal Equipment Company which is the city’s sole supplier for these pumps.

This order was originally submitted in December but ended up coming in over the $25,000 limit so it was brought back at last week’s meeting. The money will come out of the 2024 budget.

This will hold the city over until they do their large annual order.

In old business:

• Passed the second reading establishing a hands free driving ordinance.

The state of Missouri passed this law (which is now in place) requiring drivers to be “hands free” when using any device while driving. The city passed this one, which mirrors the state law, so this can stay in the city’s municipal court.

• Passed the second reading to join Show Me Pace, the “Property Assessment Clean Energy Act” and stating the terms under which the city will conduct activities as a member such district.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing allows property owners to finance the costs of renewable energy improvements or energy efficiency improvements through annual special assessments.

In Missouri, PACE is implemented and administered through Clean Energy Development Boards. Show-Me PACE is a multi-jurisdictional Clean Energy Development Board that cities and counties can opt into by passing the proposed ordinance.

Now that the second reading has been approved, this will make PACE financing available to property owners in the city.

• Passed the second reading of an agreement with the Law Office of Todd Miller LLC for an amount not to exceed $30,000.

This is a contract to hire an attorney to handle day-to-day prosecutions in municipal court.

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