As we close out another calendar year of city business, I have summarized notable improvements and accomplishments that our community experienced in 2025.

• As inflation and consumer prices stayed higher than normal, the city did exceptionally well in keeping up with these increases. We were able to raise each city employee’s hourly pay by a minimum of 2.5%. We continue to offer fair and competitive wages when compared to bordering cities, counties and businesses. I continue feeling good about how we can compensate our city employees. Apart from one public works laborer, every full-time position is currently filled. As you look around the region and see all the signs of help wanted, this speaks volumes to what our city offers from a compensation standpoint. In addition to a competitive hourly wage, our health insurance and fully funded pensions for full-time employees are as good as I have seen. We switched our liability insurance this year from Travelers to MIRMA saving the city over $60,000 in premiums. MIRMA also provided us with $8,500 in grant money toward the purchase of police body cameras, car cameras and tasers.

• It was a formidable year for our Public Works team, led by Director Jeff Fahrenholtz. In 2025 we bought several pieces of new equipment internally, which allowed us to complete over 200 tons of street repairs and asphalt resurfacing in house. We finished and sealed City Hall parking lot and are waiting for striping to optimize vehicle parking. The City Hall parking lot will share its space with the Rock Island Stste Park trailhead thanks to the $361,000 grant awarded to extend the Rock Island Trail to the western city limits and add restrooms and kiosk shelter at the trailhead. Public Works completed several large storm water projects on Cuba and Springfield streets, eliminating what the locals referred to as Lake Springfield. In addition to the new storm drain infrastructure, new sidewalks, curbs, and gutters were added. Jeff’s team seems to have also solved the storm water run-off issues for the residents on Washington Avenue, as the modifications made last year to the creek and storm drains have solved the flooding issues, even during the most violent rainfalls. There is $770,00 budgeted in 2026 for waste and storm water improvements as we continue to improve our infrastructure to meet or exceed DNR compliance.

• The city was also awarded a $500,000 no-match grant to upgrade First Street with high efficiency decorative lighting. The project is underway now and we hope to have the project completed in the spring, giving a nice facelift to downtown. In addition, we were also awarded $500,000 of new grant money for ADA compliant sidewalk improvements. The improvements will start at the Scenic Regional Library on Highway 19 and Madison Avenue and run west to Sixth Street past the VFW and cross Highway 28 accessing the Rock Island Trail. We are currently in the contractor selection process and intend to have this completed in 2026. Unfortunately for the city, Jeff Farenholz has decided to retire at year’s end and his knowledge and ability in the field will be missed. Thank you, Jeff, for the many years of service and dedication you have given to the city of Owensville.

• Angela Lairmore, our Parks and Recreation director, had another stellar year within the parks, golf course and water park. The year kicked off with receiving a Missouri Department of Conservation match grant for 26 new trees for the park system. A surplus sale was held for 18 pieces of vintage playground equipment that helped with the grant’s match portion. All 30 light bulbs were replaced on the Memorial Park ball field. Lights were also added to the basketball courts and Pavilion 6 by the water park. Asphalt was added to the approach to the campground. While the annual movie series did see a name change (Sparklight Series), it remains a community favorite with nearly 750 people coming out to enjoy the five movies from June to October. Many of the greens at the golf course were improved with areas of new sod and hole No. 8 received a complete overhaul. Two golf carts were added to the fleet, taking the total carts available for rent to 12. The clubhouse showed an increase in greens fees and cart rentals, while seeing a decline in memberships. The golf course also improved player experience by adding a QR code for electronic payments when the clubhouse is closed. Early season rains and cool temperatures forced Winter Water Park to be closed more days than in years past. Fortunately, the facility still welcomed nearly 14,500 visitors through the 76 operational days. The waterpark added a Christmas in July event that was a big hit. The Parks Commission welcomed a new member, Derrick Tyree, who has been a great addition. As for 2026, the department is excited to acquire RecDesk for both online registration/reservations and integrated Point-of-Sale system at both the golf course and waterpark. The software will greatly improve the experience for both the patrons and staff.

• Our Public Safety Team has been busy in all departments. The Police Department remains fully staffed in both full and part-time positions. Morale, under the leadership of City Marshall Scott Grifith, continues to be at the highest level. With all positions full, we will continue to provide an SRO officer to the R-2 School District. Paul Baldwin was assigned to the SRO post last year and continues the role which has been a success. The Law Enforcement Tax funds received in 2025 allowed the OPD to buy and take delivery this month of a new 2026 Dodge Durango patrol vehicle. The OPD also added new personal protection equipment, upgraded and added firearms, tasers, body cameras and other items keeping them outfitted with the best gear available. As stated before, we are committed to outfitting our officers with quality equipment, vehicles, and safety gear to do the job. OWENSVILLE BACKS THE BLUE! Under the leadership of Chief Jeff Arnold, the Owensville Volunteer Fire Department had their busiest year on record with 425 responses and still counting. Looking beyond their daily duties of protecting and serving us, our Public Safety Team along with county law enforcement and our ambulance district are true heroes. They are out fundraising and working hard to ensure that low-income families or those that may have experienced a misfortune have an opportunity to feel joy and compassion. To date, our heroes have fundraised over $22,000 dollars which put a lot of smiles on faces chosen to take part in our Shop with a Hero event. Of course, none of this happens without the generous donations from our businesses, organizations and individual citizens who are making these donations. A very grateful THANK YOU to everyone that donates! Big changes for the (OVFD) on January 1st, 2026, as the OVFD will become the Owensville Fire Protection District and will become a separate entity supported by the participating counties and city’s property tax increase as voted on during the April ballot. Both sides’ attorneys have been working diligently to see that this transition goes smoothly and is a success. Many thanks to City Marshall Scott Griffith and Volunteer Fire Chief Jeff Arnold and their respective teams for their continued dedication to our public safety. We are blessed to have you!

• The city also rolled out an initiative to clean up and repair or remove dangerous and abandoned housing. There were nine identified locations and half have been addressed and are being worked on. The city will continue to work on these dangerous and abandoned properties until they all meet compliance. Apart from one or two buildings on Highway 28, Owensville gives our visitors a nice first impression as many buildings and businesses have been remodeled and rejuvenated along the way. Thank you to all business owners and residents that have made improvements and helped to beautify our community.

• I should also point out some of the projects and improvements that were made by private clubs and organizations that added both beauty and functionality to our city. The Owensville Lions Club added two new ball fields and lighting at the Lions Sports Complex, giving them four fields that can be played at night. The Gasconade County Fair Association has the youth building under construction which should be in service for the 2026 Gasconade County Fair. Many thanks to volunteers, including Louise Baker, Charles Kempen, John, Cheryl and JD Hoffmann, Tony Shanks, MDC concrete, Doug Stovall and Mike Miller along with the Horseshoe Monument Team, that designed and constructed the World’s Largest Horseshoe paying tribute to the unique story behind the naming of Owensville. Let us not forget the Ribbon Cutting back in May and the Grand Opening Celebration for Owensville’s section of the Rock Island Trail. Keeping in the Christmas spirit, thank you to the Chamber of Commerce and all the volunteers and organizations that made the Parade of Lights another success that continues to grow. Special thanks to the Chamber and The Garden Club for keeping the planters and the green spots around town looking beautiful. Lastly, thank you to the GTA Car Club and all the volunteers that make our Springfest the wonderful event it is and how it continues to grow and become better year after year. We truly thank and appreciate all of you that plan and organize these special events and projects.

In closing, I would like to thank the department heads, the city employees and volunteers, whose hard work made 2025 a success. Special thanks to Mayor Kevin McFadden and the Aldermen/women for the unselfish time and dedication they provide this city.

I look forward to a successful 2026, and I wish health and prosperity to the Owensville community and the citizens of Gasconade County.