Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident asks when Huckleberry Park fire station will reopen as council discusses raises and reserves
Summary
A resident asked the Hannibal City Council on March 18 when the Huckleberry Park Fire Station will be reopened following recent staffing shortages and raises for firefighters.
A resident asked the Hannibal City Council on March 18 when the Huckleberry Park Fire Station will be reopened following recent staffing shortages and raises for firefighters.
“Where do we stand with, the closure of the Huckleberry Park Fire Station?” resident Daryl McCoy asked, citing concern for Oakwood-area protection and the city’s ISO rating.
Mayor Lila Lotterman said the fire administration and chief should decide when to reopen the station. “I am of the opinion that we leave that up to the fire department and the admin as to when they feel is best to reopen it,” Lotterman said, adding the department wants to fully train new hires before restaffing so the station does not have to close again.
Lotterman and other officials discussed the budgetary trade-offs that accompanied recently approved raises for police and firefighters. Council members had authorized raises funded from the city’s reserves; Lotterman acknowledged the move reduced reserves and said the city is still running a deficit.
A resident and council members discussed possible revenue options if state or federal public‑safety tax proposals do not materialize. Lotterman said the council has talked about alternatives including a real‑estate tax (the city’s property tax rate has not been raised since 1973) and drawing on sales tax, but no final decision has been made.
On the size of the reserve, a council exchange referenced a reduction “a little over $600,000” after paying for the raises; Lotterman said the city still has funds in reserve but that, without additional revenue, the longer‑term outlook could require cuts.
Council members emphasized they would seek cost‑saving measures in the upcoming budget process and noted that budget workshops open to the public will be held between now and July and are posted on the city website.
No formal direction to reopen the Huckleberry Park station or additional revenue actions were adopted at the meeting; Lotterman repeated that the fire administration will determine the timing once new hires finish training.
Looking ahead, residents and council members said they expect more detailed budget conversations as the city prepares its next fiscal plan.
