OWENSVILLE — In budget planning for the fiscal year starting July 1, Owensville police anticipate revenue of $130,000 from the city’s portion of the Gasconade County Law Enforcement Sales Tax (LEST).

City Marshal Scott Griffith, chief of police in Owensville, lined out planned expenditures with proceeds from the county tax designated for law enforcement during a city budget workshop May 16 on City Administration Funds. Municipalities with police departments are eligible to receive a portion of the tax based on population. The county sheriff’s agency receives the 75 percent of tax receipts.

Griffith provided the full Board of Aldermen and Mayor Kevin McFadden with a 10-point list of expenditures planned with LEST funds. First, however, he noted points Nos. 6 and 7 would be skipped and discussed at the end.

No. 1 was a planned expenditure of $20,500 will go for paying the yearly contracts for body cameras, tasers, and car cameras. Another $2,500 was being earmarked for an additional car camera contract.

No. 2 specified two additional yearly contracts for body cameras at $1,500.

No. 3 is an expenditure of an anticipated $10,000 in police salaries for the agreed upon one-third each split between the Fair Association, Gasconade County and the city of Owensville for providing security during the fair scheduled this year July  29-30 and Aug. 1.

No. 4 covers planned spending of  $5,000 for 11 .9mm Glock handguns.

No. 5 allocates $6,000 for three Stalker radar units.

Skilling to No. 8, Griffith said he plans to spend $5,000 to acquire two digital speed limit signs city police can move at their discretion based on complaints in specific areas of town. “It’s cheaper to own than to rent,” he told aldermen of the portable signs.

A new server for police operations was listed at $7,500, as noted in No. 9.

And, No. 10 listed an expenditure of $27,000 available for unknown vehicle needs, equipment, training, uniforms, computer equipment and salaries as needed. None of the $27,000 is currently allocated, Griffith told the aldermen and mayor.

Back to Nos. 6 and 7, Griffith said he’s checked with the city’s attorney and was told police could use ground behind the police station to create a fenced-in, secured parking lot with a storage shed. Griffith had previously sought permission to construct a fenced lot to use if the city impounded a vehicle.

As proposed, Griffith has the No. 6 line item quoting an estimate of $30,000 for the gravel lot, fencing and shed. No. 7 has a $15,000 figure listed for additional cameras for the parking area and the police station itself.

Griffith told aldermen he could see spending “part or all” of these line items. “It depends on costs,” he added.

And, as he closed out the list, the $27,000 in No. 10 is not currently allocated for any specific item.

City police are also expecting an estimated $50,000 in Blue Shield Community funding. The city’s department was notified of the award that day and will apply for the funding in July.

Anticipated expenditures with these funds includes $15,000 for equipment for the Chevrolet Tahoe, replacing duty vests for $5,000, and $30,000 to purchase a four-seat UTV with heating and air conditioning. The vehicle will allow city police to do any patrolling as necessary or for a trail emergency on the Rock Island State Park segment through town. It will also be outfitted with an animal cage in case the need arises for securing a dangerous animal.

Griffith’s report also indicated the additional anticipated funds being reimbursed to the city and received for the new fiscal year 2026-27.

Along with the $130,000 from the LEST, the Gasconade County R-2 School District is expected to reimburse the city $85,000 for the school resource officer services the city provides.

Donations of $20,000 have been collected previously for the Shop With A Hero event at Christmas and the department’s Easter Egg hunt. That figure is lists as anticipated for the new budget as well.

A grant of $3,500 is listed as an award from the city’s insurance provider, MIRMA.

Another MIRMA grant which the department has applied for carries a $5,000 source of revenue. It would be used for car and body cameras.

There is $500 listed for POST. And the Blue Shield grant mentioned above carries the estimate of $50,000.

“We’ve under-spent on these (police funds),” City Administrator Randy Blaske told the board of the planning process. “We feel comfortable with it (these figures).”

Aldermen gave final approval Monday to adopt  the budget as presented with Ordinance No. 1512. The city anticipates spending $1,202,968 on police protection including salaries, benefits, and equipment purchases.

The only changes to the budget as presented in May was the Street Fund. The anticipated revenue and expenditures remain balanced at $1,265,115 coming in and the same amount being spent.