Ozark Council Considers Fire Truck Purchase
by Robbi Roberts
Members of the Ozark City Council heard a request from the fire department at their monthly meeting Monday, May 11, regarding the purchase of a new fire engine.
Fire Chief Nick Trotter addressed the Council about the purchase of a new E1 fire engine. Trotter stated the dealer has a truck available that meets 95% of the fire department’s needs. If purchased, the engine would be in service in about a month; however, if a truck has to be ordered, it will take two to three years to be ready, Trotter said.
The base cost of the truck will be $1 million with an additional $10,000 required to outfit it with hoses, nozzles and custom storage. The life of the truck is estimated at 25 years.
Council members said they would like to view the truck before making a decision, and the dealer agreed to bring the vehicle to the community center at 4 p.m. Monday, May 18, for viewing.
Trotter also stated the current rescue truck is overloaded and, with the addition of the new engine, a 2015 truck will be repurposed as a rescue truck.
The OFD responded to 42 calls in April, completed personal protective equipment training for all members and had two fuel tanks installed behind Station #1. The tanks are owned, maintained and filled by Littlefield Oil Company, which offers a less expensive cost for fuel, according to Trotter.
The OFD is also currently soliciting bids on a new cab chassis truck to replace the old brush truck which is out of commission.
Police Department
Police Chief Devin Bramlett reported in April, the department made 15 arrests, filed 75 reports, attended 18 accidents, issued 70 city ordinance warnings, picked up two stray animals, had one motorist assist, served 22 warrants and 32 subpoenas, and issued 49 traffic tickets and 305 traffic warnings.
The department also hosted a three-day Criminal Justice Firearms and Crime Scenes class, a five-day basic sniper operations class, a Department of Human Services multi-disciplinary team county meeting, and the Rogers Police Department SWAT team used the training facility.
Bramlett reported the Arkansas Drug Take Back event on April 25 collected 85 pounds of unused or expired medications.
The Council voted to purchase a new Dodge Durango from Red River Dodge at a total cost of $54,500 to replace a problematic 2016 Ford Explorer which will be auctioned. Mayor Roxie Hall stated with the wear and tear on vehicles, the police department needs at least one new vehicle per year.
Water Department
Water Superintendent Roy Sampley reported the results of the 2025 Consumer Confidence Report were overwhelmingly positive and the two prior issues have been resolved.
Ozark Community Center
It was reported two food trucks, Hillbilly Snow and Holy Grounds Coffee, are taking advantage of the free rental spaces. Reconstruction of the putt-putt golf area continues, with a few areas complete.
The Community Center will be closed May 15 for graduation.
The summer lifeguard schedule begins on May 18. Upcoming events include a summer celebration, a back-to-school bash, and several field trips for Cedarville, Alma Intermediate and Booneville schools.
Street Department
Street Supervisor Michael Brasseaux reported several potholes had been repaired and mowing is ongoing. The drainage project on School Street was also reported to be complete.
Hall told the Council the breakers in city hall have been thrown during recent rains, and the issue is being investigated.
Landscaping Bids
Argst Hyler presented the bids on landscaping at the city hall complex, which included the police department, the mayor’s office and the water department.
Freddy Ree submitted a bid of $4,881 for renovation of the beds to make the area more inviting. A separate bid of $987.50 was approved for the semi-annual landscape maintenance in the spring and fall. A bid for renovations and installation of $962.89 for the community center was tabled until some water issues can be addressed. Currently, the only hose the community center has is on the roof.
A $3,500 bid for semi-annual landscape maintenance for the four island beds, pocket park and depot museum was rejected, and it was decided the adoption of those areas will continue.
Mayor’s Report
Hall reported the transfer station is still accepting electronic waste, and residents who wish to discard electronic items should bring a water bill for proof of residency. Hall said individuals should not be illegally dumping trash into dumpsters that are not their own, and anyone caught doing so will face stiff penalties.
Ozark will be enforcing the dog ordinance that states residents can only have a total of three cats or dogs, or a mixture of cats and dogs, according to Hall, who also reminded the public dog tags are not optional.
Public Input
T.F. White asked what was being done about all the “empty, run-down buildings” in the downtown area. He stated more should be done to have the empty businesses filled.
Read this story and others in the May 20 issue of The Graphic, available online and at businesses throughout Franklin and Johnson counties. Subscribe or donate here to support more hometown journalism.
