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Lowry City authorizes equipment spending, hears fire and public-works reports; fire chief to research fire district
Summary
The board authorized up to $2,200 for fire pump certification and up to $5,500 for a backup lift-station pump rotating assembly, heard a report of six motor-vehicle responses (one fatality) by the fire department, and granted the fire chief permission to study forming a tax-based fire district for a future ballot.
Lowry City's Board of Aldermen on March 18, 2025 approved several operational expenditures, received department activity reports and allowed the fire chief to investigate forming a tax-based fire district for possible inclusion on a future ballot.
Fire Chief Justin Norris reported volunteers responded to six motor vehicle accidents since the prior report, including one fatal crash, and described mechanical issues with two trucks that required in-house emergency repairs. Norris presented a quote for pump certification that would be scheduled with cascade air-system maintenance; on motion by Alderman Sean Langston and second by Alderman Shirley Edmunds the board authorized spending up to $2,200 for that service. Norris said he will bring a separate quote for annual self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) testing to the board later.
Norris asked for permission to research a tax-based fire district; the board agreed to allow him to move forward exploring the matter so it can be considered for a future ballot. The minutes record no vote to create a district — only authorization to investigate.
Public works: Water and Wastewater Superintendent Josh Muller reported crews have been picking up brush, filling roads by the lagoons and backfilling cemetery graves; they will sow grass seed and ready mowers and weed eaters for the season. After discussion about sourcing parts for a pump motor to use as a backup at the lift station, the board authorized spending up to $5,500 for a new rotating assembly to ensure a backup pump, with the motion passing unanimously.
Other business: The board agreed to advertise for summer mowing help on the city website and Facebook page with an application deadline of April 15. City Clerk John Farrell reported Lowry City Community Betterment plans a city-wide garage sale April 5 and a city clean-up April 12.
Citizen question: Resident Larry Sites thanked the board for new police officers and asked Police Chief Charles Hodges whether rural agencies had been notified about reported "alien encounters." Chief Hodges, who also serves as a county deputy, said he had heard nothing about such notifications in his county law-enforcement role.
Next steps: Staff will schedule and complete the approved maintenance and purchases and return to the board with SCBA testing quotes and any materials generated from a study of a fire district if Norris recommends pursuing a ballot measure.
