Fredericktown — February 09, 2026

Key Decisions

• Council approved multiple training conference requests for city staff, including airport manager, city clerks, police K-9 officers, fire chief and firefighters, building inspector, and police chief attending professional conferences between March and May 2026.
• Council approved a $3,660 Missouri Fire Assistance volunteer fire grant for a positive ventilation fan and traffic safety equipment.
• Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance requiring businesses to report fire safety inspections through Reporting Made Easy software at no cost to the city.
• Council approved purchasing a new combination jetter truck from Sewer Equipment of America Archer for $554,765 (low bid), to be financed over five years. The 22-year-old current truck requires daily use.
• Council approved purchasing utility poles from Desoto Treated Materials for $11,187.
• Council approved purchasing transformers from TNR Electrical for $44,599.
• Council tabled decision on purchasing a 2025 F-150 Police Responder truck ($50,535) pending cost estimates for outfitting and turnaround time comparison with Dodge Durango alternatives.
• Council approved spreading a $300,000 emergency power bill increase over 12 months rather than charging customers the full amount immediately, despite the city not fully recovering purchase power costs.

Budget & Finance

• The city faces a $600,000 power bill (double the usual $250,000-$350,000) due to winter storm strain on the regional power grid, part of a $5 million increase across all Missouri Public Utility Alliance members.
• Council chose to spread the $300,000 increase over 12 monthly billing cycles to ease burden on residents, particularly low-income and elderly customers, rather than charging $79 per 1,000 kilowatt hours in one month.
• Police department budgeted $60,000 for a vehicle purchase; pending estimates on outfitting costs for lighting and lettering (estimated $7,000-$10,000).

Coming Up

• Council canceled the March 9, 2026 meeting due to both city clerks attending the Missouri City Clerks and Finance Officers Association conference.
• Fire safety inspection reporting ordinance will appear on the next regular meeting agenda.

Other Business

Chief Hovas presented options for installing an on-site fuel pump for police vehicles. Ballmer Oil quoted zero installation and maintenance costs with fuel prices 10-12 cents per gallon below local stations, potentially saving approximately $2,800 annually. Council directed the chief to gather additional details on tank size and insurance requirements before the next meeting.

Council went into closed session to discuss contract negotiations.