Tooley & Waldron promoted in W.S. Fire Dept.

Two firefighters received promotions during the monthly meeting of the Willow Springs Board of Aldermen on Thursday, Oct. 17. Firefighter Sam Waldron was promoted to Assistant Chief and firefighter Nick Tooley was promoted to Captain. Mayor Pro Tem Kim Rich read a declaration proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, in Mayor Brooke Fair’s absence from the meeting.

 

In existing business, the board announced surplus items and continued the 2025 budget discussion that began during the budget workshop. A 1984 Seagrave Fire Heavy Rescue Truck that has not responded to any service calls due to reliability issues in several years was the only item declared as surplus. In the continued budget discussions, the Willow Springs Library will see a 2.5% increase in funding to $43,339.73. The amount going to the W.S. Chamber of Commerce is increasing by $12.30 annually to offset the utilities cost to $1,212.30. The Ozark Family YMCA portion will increase to $16,366.05. City Administrator Beverly Hicks said she will be negotiating with the city attorney & prosecutor Zane Privette on a 3-year step increase.

 

The board discussed the electrical user fees. The city charges $5.57 for residential users, and $11.73 for every commercial user. These rates were set 20 years ago. Hicks presented information on 22 other cities in the area, and their average residential rate is $16.69, and average commercial rate is $25.09. The city's current fees are lower than all of these other cities. Among the 22 cities listed, the residential side goes from $6 up to $28 and commercial from $13 up to $54.40. Hicks believed that going up to the average would be too much for the residents. A member of the electrical department was present during the meeting and said their cost for equipment has increased 400% in the last few years. Hicks said a further cost analysis would be needed.

 

In new business, the board approved 2024 budget amendment Bill No. 25-24 as Ordinance No. 1625.