The latest news for you

Volume XIII | October 2018

October 2018 News & Updates

October edition includes....

Ozark Comprehensive Plan Citizen Survey
Upcoming Programs and Events
Letter from our Alderman
Welcome new businesses to Ozark
Invitation to State of Community Dinner

You can always find more information on our website at ozarkmissouri.com and connect with us on our social media pages, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Nextdoor

Visit our Website

We want to hear from you! Participate in our survey TODAY.

Deadline is October 3rd.

T he City of Ozark has partnered with the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG) to facilitate an update to the city’s 2008 Comprehensive Plan. A Comprehensive Plan serves as a community’s official guide for growth, land use, and development. One of the first steps in the update process is gathering public input. SMCOG is asking Ozark residents t o complete a short survey t hat serves as the guide to the city’s future. Citizens can follow along with the process via the online comprehensive plan . The update will conclude in December with a final draft to be presented in January

A note from Alderman Ted Smith, Ward II

As the air is starting to get that Fall chill, the City of Ozark is heating up! This is an exciting time to be living and working in Ozark.

Before I start, be sure and check out the City website at www.ozarkmissouri.com . You will find all kinds of useful information there including exactly where your transportation sales tax dollars are going for transportation improvements. The website not only shows you what transportation improvements are being worked on or completed, it also shows you what we have collected from the transportation sales tax. We are fortunate to live in a City that is so transparent.

There are so many projects going on in the City - I am sure I will miss some, but I’ll give you a quick overview of a few:

Finley Farms - this is the Bass Pro Mill project. If you haven’t driven by the mill lately you should do so. It is up on stilts and has been moved onto the street so the foundation can be rebuilt. Quite a feat to move it. The plans that have been made public are pretty amazing. New restaurants, a wedding chapel, a agricultural component, new trails, educational venue and a coffee and ice cream store called the Post. The old Riverside bridge will even be part of the project.

South Street widing should be starting this fall with Highway 14 following next year.

MODOT has determined they will widen Hwy 14 going west from B&B Theatre to Fremont Road. They have also decided to make Highway 65 six lanes down to CC.

The Riverside Bridge project is moving along as expected. I know nothing happens as fast as we want it to, but please understand this Riverside Bridge project is very complex one having to deal with a lot of different entities, including our partners Christian County and Ozark Special Road District. I am proud of how everyone has come together to solve this problem. There even had to be an act of Congress to be able to move forward...again, not a simple task to rebuilt the bridge, but the project is moving forward and we hope to see dirt moving soon.

The number of building permits is up 91 over the same time last year. Our planning department and public works department are staying very busy.

Be sure and check out some of the new restaurants in town - including Ozark Mountain Family Restaurant, The Vineyard Market, Little Danube and soon to open the Finley downtown. It is important to not only support our local restaurants but also our local businesses. Sales tax is the main revenue source for the City of Ozark to provide services including parks, police and public works. Sales tax is generated by you making sales taxable purchases inside the City of Ozark. Think about that the next time you are deciding to go to dinner or the grocery store and make a decision if at all possible make those purchases in Ozark.

Lastly, I want to spend a few moments talking about your city. In my six years on the Board of Alderman, I have never seen a more professional city staff or board. I know, not every decision made is popular, but what I want to convey, is every decision is thought through, sometimes argued, pondered and at the end of the day, our main attempt is to make a good decision that not only is good for right now, but reasonably as far as we can see in the future. Often the public only hears about what they read in the paper and see on the news, which is often something controversial. You should be proud of your city staff and your board. I know I am.

Making Progress As Promised

Former Big Al’s Gas Station was torn down on Monday Sept 24, 2018 in preparation for intersection improvements that are scheduled to begin Fall 2019.

View intersection project timeline: HERE

Q & A

What is Summer Sewer Average Program?

Your Summer sewer average is calculated using the water usage shown on your January, February and March bills. Your sewer billing for the summer months of May- October is referred to as your summer sewer average.

Summer sewer average is based on your winter usage unless your actual water usage is less than the average. In that case you will be billed for actual usage. New customers receive a default average of 7,200 gallons.

Example: If your average winter usage is 5,500 gallons for January, February and March. From May thru October you will be billed 5,500 gallons for sewer unless your actual usage is less than the 5,500 gallons. If you use 15,500 gallons of water in July, you are billed for 15,500 of water usage but only 5,500 gallons of sewer based on your winter average.

Why is this program available?

We choose to average the sewer usage because we know a number of our customer’s water quite extensively during the spring, summer and fall seasons. We use January, February and March to average your account due in part that it allows us to get a good estimate on how much water is really used that is disposed into the sewer. Almost all usage is indoors and is being directed to the sewer system.

This program takes your Jan, Feb, March usage and calculates an average usage for your sewer. Then it charges you a flat rate for sewer in the months of May to October. When you receive your November bill the sewer amount charged goes back to actual usage.

I have an irrigation system and water my yard. Why is this beneficial to me?

You are not paying for the sewer that is not going into the sewer system. You are only paying for the average of what you would normally use when not watering.

When does this program run? How do I sign up?

Be sure to have your irrigation turned off about the middle of October. Once you are set up on this program you do not need to inform us unless you transfer. If you are not on the program and would like to be just call the office at 417-581-2744 and leave a message.

Planning and Development Department

The City of Ozark is excited to welcome some new businesses to town.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

St George's Donuts

Tropical Smoothie Cafe - new business opening soon near Walmart

We are starting to see more developments and new businesses opening on the north side of Ozark.

St George's Donuts - opening soon in shopping center off State Hwy J

Christian County Discount Freight & Grocery Outlet - new business moving from its current location in Nixa to off CC/65

McDonald's - second location off 65/CC

Rapid Roberts - renovation and additional square footage added to current building

Christian County Discount Freight & Grocery Outlet

McDonald's (2nd location)

Rapid Roberts

Governor at Ozark City Hall

The City of Ozark is very pleased to have been given the opportunity to host Governor Mike Parson on Monday, September 24th, in a round table discussion with all Christian County mayors.

It has been over five Governors ago since one has visited Christian County to meet with local mayors.

We thank Governor Parson for his dedication to the state and willingness to talk to the smaller communities about things that impact us locally.

Police Department Update

Run with Cops 5K recap

Thank you Ozark!! The Ozark Fraternal Order of Police’s First Annual "Run With the Cops” 5K was a huge success and area children will reap the benefits at this year’s annual Cops for Kids shopping spree over the Christmas Holidays!!

2018 Citizen Academy

We would like to congratulate the members of our 2018 Citizen's Academy. The class is now in their sixth week of our Academy.

The attendees are John Medvec, Tara Jenkins, Samara Ragan, David Hall, Jeffrey Vale, Ethan Chung, Nathan Posten, Jacalyn Deans, Nicholas Haworth, Lane Harrison, Don Currence, Matthew Hildebrand and Kathleen Goff. Congratulations!!

Thanks to the Ozark Police Department’s Citizen’s Academy Alumni, September 24, 2018, was a very special night for the Ozark Police Department, the 3rd Annual Award’s Banquet’s. This event allows the Chief of Police and his Command Staff to formally recognize members of the department and community for their exemplary service.

Civilian Service Award: The Civilian Service Award is given for the performance of an outstanding act of service by a civilian, for saving a human life, or substantially aiding a police officer in his or her duty.

Sean Gammon- Ozark Walmart

Becky Branson- Ozark Police Department Citizens Academy Alumni Association

Justin Medley- One Stop Media

Valerie Medley- One Stop Media

Robert Voss- One Stop Media

Educational Achievement Award: The Educational Achievement Award is given to department personnel who achieve 60 or more college credit hours or have earned a Degree from an accredited college or university.

Sergeant Derek Hill – Master’s Degree

Officer Taylor Wheeler – Bachelor’s Degree

U.S. Military Service Award: Awarded for honorably serving in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces; one star is attached to the Military Service Award for each combat service in a U.S. military Campaign.

Officer Gregory O’Neil

Officer Jonah Crim

Unit Commendation Award: The Unit Commendation is awarded to any division, squad, unit, or group of individuals that achieve a commendable act in the line of duty.

Lt. Kevin Boyce

Sergeant Tommy Wade

Sergeant Jared Drye

Sergeant Derek Hill

Corporal Roldan Turner

Corporal Matthew Jones

Corporal Bryant Soules

Corporal Ben Deutscher

Detective Anthony Appleton

Detective Kelsey Cliffe

Officer Tyler Schmidt

Officer Stephen Conner

Officer Christopher Schwartz

Officer Trevor Spencer

Officer Danisha Smith

Officer Anthony Dewey

Officer Marco Cabrales

Officer Dakota Inlow

Honorable Service Award: The Honorable Service Award is awarded for a credible act in the line of duty by the officer that meets some, but not all, of the requirements for other medals, or for an act that showed initiative, innovation, and accomplishment by the officer.

Support Services Supervisor Becky Appleton

Corporal Truman Isbell

Officer Bryan Tyler

Officer Stephen Conner

Exceptional Service Award: The Exceptional Service Award requires a highly credible accomplishment by an officer that brings public acclaim to himself or herself, to the department, or to the police profession.

Sergeant Derek Hill

Sergeant Tommy Wade

Sergeant Jared Drye

Corporal Matthew Jones

Detective Kelsey Cliffe

Officer Stephen Conner

Officer Greg O’Neil

Officer Trevor Spencer

Officer Taylor Wheeler

Officer Logan Findley

Officer Megan McLaughlin

Officer Ryan Perkins

Chief’s Award: The Chief’s Award is awarded by the Chief of Police for a high degree of dedication and professionalism by the officer/member that shows a continuing commitment to the department and sets worthwhile standards for fellow officers/members to follow.

Sergeant Derek Hill

Officer Christopher Schwartz

Officer Marco Cabrales

Property Clerk Sue Choate

Officer of the Year: This is the highest possible award that can be earned by personnel at the Ozark Police Department. The recipients are selected by the Chief of Police for the demonstration of an exceptionally high degree of dedication and professionalism throughout the year that shows a continuing commitment to the department and sets worthwhile standards for fellow peers to follow.

Officer Stephen Conner

Upcoming Programs & Events

Ozark's Partnership in Progress (Ozark Chamber, City of Ozark, and Ozark R-VI School District) will host the annual State of the Community Dinner on Thursday evening, October 4, 2018 at 6:00 pm. The event will be held at Ozark High School.

The theme for this year's dinner is "Progress With Pride: Stepping into the Future with an Eye on the Past." Join the Chamber, MODOT, the City of Ozark, and the Ozark R-VI School District for updates on long-range plans and projects that will make Ozark an even better community.

The evening will consist of a dinner, entertainment, and presentations by community leaders.

Registration is $20 per person in advance or $25 at the door.

Thank you to Esterly, Schneider & Associates Inc. for serving as the presenting sponsor for this event. "

Link to facebook event: HERE

Link to event on the Chamber website: HERE