New Law Clears The Way For Locally-Controlled Entertainment District On Bagnell Dam Strip

LAKE OZARK, Mo. — Big changes could be coming to the Bagnell Dam Strip, as new legislation signed by Governor Mike Kehoe opens the door for the creation of a locally-managed entertainment district in Lake Ozark.

House Bill 199, signed into law July 11, gives the City more control over how it promotes events, manages public safety, and supports business growth on the historic lakefront.

“HB 199 is a fantastic opportunity for Lake Ozark to chart its own future,” said Jason Burle, President of the Lake Economic Alliance for Development (LEAD). “This legislation lets our community, and not the state, decide how best to manage the Strip.”

The law allows the City to establish an entertainment district with the potential to hire full-time coordinators, organize events, improve safety, and set open-container rules specific to the area. These changes could ease the burden on City resources and create a more vibrant atmosphere for visitors and businesses alike.

LEAD, a nonprofit focused on economic development in the region, spearheaded the push for the legislation in 2024. The effort earned unanimous support from the Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen and was championed in Jefferson City by Representatives Don Mayhew and Jeff Vernetti, with support from Trail Consulting, LLC.

Before any changes go into effect, a Community Improvement District (CID) must be formed to fund operations. That process would require public notice, approval by the City board, and a vote by affected property owners or registered voters.

For now, Strip property owners have agreed to hold off on forming a CID until infrastructure plans and development timelines are finalized. “The Strip’s stakeholders are eager to invest, but they want a clear picture of the future before creating a CID that is extremely difficult to change,” Burle said. “You may only get one shot.”

More information is available at LakeLEAD.org.