OWENSVILLE —The Owensville Volunteer Fire Department (OVFD) received approval from the city on Monday for two purchases recently: $21,031.87 for 33 Kenwood portable radios along with accessories from the grant award, and $3,500 for a furnace repair at Station No. 1 in Owensville.

Additionally, the Board of Aldermen approved on Monday a real estate lease agreement and an intergovernmental cooperation agreement to transfer vehicles and equipment from the city to the newly formed Owensville Fire Protection District (OFPD).

The radio purchase includes the chargers, cases, straps, software and more, according to City Clerk Peggy Farrell. Farrell provided OVFD Fire Chief Jeff Arnold’s update to the Board of Aldermen as the OFPD meeting took place at the same time as the city meeting.

The radios and related equipment are being purchased from A&W Communications through an Assistance to Firefighters Grant provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

OVFD along with Gerald-Rosebud, Belle and Vienna Fire Protection Districts collaborated to apply for the grant worth $740,000. Of this, Arnold told The Republican that OVFD’s portion will be approximately $242,000. The total purchase amount is $777,000.

Farrell shared that the fire department is responsible for the overage due to price increases.

Board President and Ward 1 Alderman Dr. Cathy Lahmeyer made the motion to approve the purchase of the radios in the amount over and above the grant. The motion was seconded by Ward 2 Alderman Denise Bohl and passed with all present aldermen in favor with Ward 2 Alderman Matthew Kramme absent.

Farrell also informed the Board that OVFD had received approval from City Administrator Randy Blaske to move forward with replacing the furnace at Fire Station 1.

“Two weeks from them no longer being part of the city and the furnace is out,” Farrell said to the Board. “However, it is an emergency — it needs to be fixed.”

Multiple bids were received with the low bid of $3,500 being awarded to Boyd’s Plumbing Heating & Air LLC of Owensville. Approving requests under $5,000 without the need for a motion from the board is within scope for the city administrator in the case of an emergency.

Blaske’s ability to approve the purchase without the need for a vote by the Board of Aldermen was given through Resolution 2025-4 which passed earlier this year. The resolution states purchases under $500 may be made by the department supervisor, purchases from $500 to $4,999 require approval by the city administrator and purchases exceeding those amounts require an additional layer of approval by aldermen.

Other bids received included Rehagen Heating & Cooling, Inc. of Westphalia in the amount of $5,567 and $6,170 from Brandt Heating and Cooling LLC of Linn.

The final two items on the agenda relating to the formation of the district were two ordinances leasing or transferring assets from the city to the voter-approved Owensville Fire Protection District OFPD.

The Board of Aldermen first passed Ordinance 1497, approving a real estate lease between the city and OFPD for Fire Station 1 and Fire Station 3, located at 819 West Franklin Avenue and 600 Springfield Road, respectively. Fire station 2 in Mt. Sterling is separately being transferred to OFPD by the Owensville Rural Fire Protective Association.

According to Bill 2025-34, OFPD will pay the city of Owensville for base rent a total of $161,017 in annual installations of $16,101.70 beginning June 1, 2026 — an amount established to ensure repayment of a loan made from the city to the department. OFPD will also be responsible for the cost of their utilities.

Additionally outlined in the agreement are insurance requirements; permitted uses of the facility; condition requirements of the premises including maintenance, repairs and alterations; damage or destruction guidelines; indemnification and other miscellaneous provisions.

The first request for a reading of the real estate agreement was made by Ward 1 Alderman Dan Breeden, a second by Bohl and a final reading requested by Lahmeyer. The motion passed unanimously with yes votes from all aldermen present and Kramme absent.

The final piece of OFPD business Monday was the transfer of fire vehicles and equipment on Jan. 1, 2026, or when OFPD provides full payment of refinancing of the First State Community Bank Loan by Jan. 30, 2026 — whichever occurs last. A payment of $1 will be made to the city for each vehicle. Equipment being transferred with the vehicles includes hoses, hand tools, extraction equipment and more. Said vehicles with equipment may be considered as collateral for the loan.

This agreement outlines insurance requirements along with the city’s involvement as it relates to completion of work and payment of matching funds for grants already applied for including the aforementioned radio grants and a vehicle grant that was not awarded.

Also mentioned are one DB224 antenna and a quarter repeater and duplexer located on Ameren buildings and tower, subject to a contract between Union Electric Company (Ameren) and OVFD. Per the agreement, if any equipment is documented as owned by the city, the city will transfer it to OVFD and has no obligations — monetary or otherwise.

A first reading of the bill was requested by Lahmeyer, a second by Bohl and third by Breeden, with all three voting yes and Kramme marked as absent.