City finances dominated much of the agenda during the Owensville Board of Aldermen meeting held Monday, June 1, with updates on savings from City Clerk Peggy Farrell, an ordinance passed for raised water rates, a renewed employment contract for City Administrator Randy Blaske, concrete bid approval for Public Works Director Derek Gruenloh and final budget approval.

Farrell’s updates included a request for a propane contract bid approval.

The city received three bids for the 2026-27 heating season with Lock’s Mill bringing in the low bid of $1.40 per gallon, MFA Oil & Propane at $1.69 per gallon and Peterson Oil at $1.54.

The motion to approve the low bid was made by Ward 2 Alderman Denise Bohl, seconded by Ward 2 Alderman Matthew Kramme and passed with all in favor.

Farrell advised she has found savings $8,500 including $417 per month, or $5,000 per year by switching phone service providers and a savings of $3,500 by using MIRMA as the cybersecurity provider instead of a third-party vendor.

Water rate increases were approved in the amount of $4 per service as previously introduced by City Engineer James Kolbe. Landwehr Subdivision residents will pay double that rate.

Kolbe informed the Board that Owensville remains at the low end of the list for customer rates according to a recent review by Rolla officials.

He stated similar raises are happening across the state with many taking large increases at once with citizens in other municipalities facing double-digit increases.

Ordinance 1510 amending Chapter 700 of the code book on water and sewer rates passed with a reading requested by Bohl, a second by Board President and Ward 1 Alderman Dr. Cathy Lahmeyer, a final request by Kramme with all four voting in favor.

City Administrator Randy Blaske will remain in his position moving into the 2026-27 fiscal year with his employment contract renewed in the amount of $90,667. During Blaske’s administration, he has secured the city over $5 million in grant funding.

The motion to approve his employment was made by Ward 1 Alderman Dan Breeden, seconded by Kramme, a third reading requested by Lahmeyer with unanimous approval.

A single bid was received by the city for the 2026-27 curb and gutter flat work for the Public Works Department. MDC Concrete will once again hold the contract, after submitting the only bid consisting of $38 per linear foot of curb and gutter, $76 per square yard of intersection swales and drives, $270 per vertical foot for curb inlet reinforced storm boxes, $48 per linear foot for sidewalks and $259 per square yard for American Disabilities Act ramps.

MDC Concrete has held a contract with the city for several years.

Blaske said additional, large projects may be bid out separately.

The city’s balanced budget for fiscal year July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 was set at $6,636,035 for all funds, including $2,510,100 in City Administration Funds, $1,766,700 in the Water & Sewer Fund, $1,265,115 for the Street Fund, $1,094,120 in Parks & Recreation Funds. A first reading of the related Ordinance 1512 was requested by Matthew Kramme, second reading requested by Bohl, a third by Lahmeyer and full approval.

The Board also unanimously adopted Ordinance 1509, allowing adoption, repeal, and amendment of city code to ensure it remains aligned with State of Missouri regulations.