Oak Grove approves police labor contract, street lighting and surplus sales; adjourns to executive session

Oak Grove’s Board approved several routine and personnel items during its meeting following adoption of an annexation ordinance.

Police labor agreement: City staff presented a tentative three-year labor agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police, West Central Missouri Regional Lodge 50, negotiated by the city and the union bargaining committee. Staff said the bargaining unit approved the tentative agreement unanimously on Nov. 12. Key terms cited included a 3.5 percent step plan, a reduction in the number of steps from 20 to 14, and increases in starting pay: officer starting pay to $51,000 and higher starting salaries for detectives and sergeants. Police Chief (Chief) said the increases "make us very relevant in the I‑70 market" and that the changes should help recruiting. A motion to approve the 2025–2027 labor agreement was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Street lighting: Corey presented Evergy’s proposed installation of two additional street lights on Southeast 20 Seventh Street to serve Red Maple Villas phases 1 and 2, noting the lights were included in a 2022 construction permit but not installed at the time. The city’s additional monthly electric cost was cited as $77.32; developers had paid the five‑year advance required at permit issuance. The board approved the installation by voice vote.

Surplus property: The board authorized advertising and sale of three surplus items: a 2008 Dodge Charger (retired from police then codes enforcement), a 1998 Skagg zero‑turn mower with a blown motor, and a skid‑steer brush cutter with a damaged frame and bearing. The motion was approved by voice vote.

Executive session: After brief reports, the board moved to adjourn into executive session under the statutory citations stated on the record. The City Clerk called the roll and the board voted to adjourn to executive session.

What this means: The labor agreement will become effective on the dates specified by the agreement; staff said it would be effective starting Jan. 1, 2025 through Dec. 30, 2027. The additional street lights are scheduled to be installed through Evergy under the previously approved construction permit process; specific install dates were not provided. The surplus items will be posted for auction or sale according to city procedures.