CAMDENTON, Mo. — The Camdenton Fire Department is one vote away from being subsumed into the Mid County Fire Protection District.
Camdenton’s Board of Alderman (BOA) voted unanimously to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement between the city’s fire department and Mid-County Fire Protection District (MCFPD) in a first reading on Sept. 6, 2016. The second reading will take place Sept. 20 when the BOA will also take up a second reading for the 2016-2017 budget proposal.
The Intergovernmental Agreement between Camdenton and MCFPD provides fire and emergency services to Camdenton’s citizens with City funds paid to Mid-County annually. The agreement precipitated after Camdenton Fire Chief Drew Stark was asked to provide a cost comparison to retain the city’s fire department and provide trained personnel 24 hours daily. His report showed the City would need to spend approximately $500,000 for new staff, in overtime costs, to replace a vehicle on a lease-purchase basis, and to expand the current facility.
In dissolving the city's fire department, Camdenton found a much cheaper way forward. The Intergovernmental Agreement cost in 2016 is $290,000, saving the city approximately $200,000. However, Mayor John McNabb said the decision was “never about money” alone. The decision was how best to use City money to provide fire protection and emergency services to city residents.
According to Stark’s report, the agreement will provide “emergency response coverage with a duty firefighter, a duty officer, 3 on-duty firefighter interns and a duty chief 24 hours a day.” The Intergovernmental Agreement includes terms for the City’s fire equipment, noting it will be leased for Mid-County’s use. City personnel will be “assigned as needed for the good of the [MCFPD] operations,” receiving health and retirement benefits commensurate with MCFPD employees. Chief Stark will have an administrative position within MCFPD.
Other Board Business
In other business on Sept. 6, City Administrator Hancock reviewed plans for the 2016 Lake of the Ozarks Air show, Sept. 10. He noted the Veterans’ Memorial Monument is complete and unveiled on Saturday. The City also released news of another $1,000 donation, this one from American Legion Zack Wheat Post 624.
Camdenton’s Board of Alderman (BOA) also took a first look at the 2016-2017 budget proposal. One particular item drew a question from Alderman Eden. He asked to see a list of the $ 1,218,605 in budget items eliminated from department directors’ requests before the second reading, scheduled to take place September 20. Hancock agreed to provide that list.
One practice adopted for the 2016-2017 budget process and for future budgeting is five-year plan for vehicle and equipment replacement according to original purchase dates and life expectancies. For example, two 2008 Impalas used by the Police Department would be calculated into the 2018 budget for replacement. However, the City also reserves money in a contingency account to provide for replacement, repair, and unforeseen circumstances.
The budget draft took into account the priorities suggested through a Budget Retreat process in light of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. As that plan showed a need for revisions in zoning ordinances, $10,000 was budgeted for that purpose.
The Community Center project, long in planning and for which the City has been saving, will continue with $140,000 set aside and some of those funds allocated for cleaning up the property purchased for the center. The airport runway extension project will also proceed with grant dollars for land acquisition.
The City’s water and sewer infrastructure has also been budgeted at $295,000 with $200,000 for water line replacements and $95,000 for capital sewer treatment repair and upgrades. The City will also invest in fiber optic Internet upgrades to improve the technical infrastructure.
In response to Hancock’s overview of the budget draft, Alderwoman Osborn said, “I appreciate conservatism.” She added the City’s infrastructure needs attention so being conservative in budgeting will help provide for infrastructure.
