PSAC talks highway annexation

The Willow Springs Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) met on Sept. 3 and discussed highway annexation and the 2025 budget. 

 

In new business, the committee heard of a possible annexation of a portion of US Highway 60/63 between the north intersection with Business 60/63 and the south intersection with Industrial Drive. 

 

Currently the Willow Springs Police do work mutual aid in this area, and discussion veered into the topic of traffic enforcement on this stretch. Without a right-of-way annex, the city’s insurance would not cover police activity there because it is technically outside of city limits. The police department could not have conducted any law enforcement there unless requested by a mutual aid agency or in an emergency.

However, since the date of the PSAC meeting, this discussion has turned out to be a moot point.

 

City Administrator Beverly Hicks reports she has learned more about the situation from Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT)’s Right-of-Way Specialist Eric Cott. Hicks told Howell County News that MoDOT records from 2002 show the section of road in questions is, in fact, annexed by the city, but that the county records do not reflect this. She said that it may just need to be recorded correctly with the county. Hicks said this easy fix is what they are hoping for.

 

In the discussion of the 2025 budget, purchasing equipment to replace those that have expired is among the top of concerns. Replacing police vehicles in the upcoming year is looking to be a need. Police Chief Wes Ellison spoke about the costs of maintaining the Dodge Chargers used as patrol cars, talking about the constant need to replace radiators, jump start them, and more. He did say that the newer Chargers are doing really well. Ellison suggested purchasing a newer used vehicle, perhaps a Chevy Tahoe. Hicks suggested that some of the equipment from the older Tahoes could be refitted to new ones to save money. Other police department needs that were discussed were a grant received to replace police radios, the need to get enough ammunition so that officers can practice without spending their own money, and the need for ballistic vests. 

 

Fire Chief Alan Lewis is suggesting selling some of the fire department's equipment while it still has value to purchase newer equipment. This included one tanker, brush/rescue, heavy rescue, brush truck, and a 32-year old ladder. Lewis had been eyeing a 2018 Freightliner Toyne Pumper for $399,000 or a new 4-door Freightliner Rescue Pumper for $520,000. A new engine could cost the city between $575,000 and $825,000, according to the meeting's agenda. The top priority for budgetary issues is replacing personal protective equipment (PPE). The fire department would like to separate the current uniform budget of $10,000 and make a spate category of PPE. They are recommending a $1,000 budget for uniforms to cover station wear and garments worn in public and a $14,000 budget for PPE.

 

The committee took no action and is not expected to make a recommendation to the board of aldermen based on the September meeting.