Truth now: Is Ozark trying to get its fingers in your pie?

WARNING: The City of Ozark, Missouri, is trying to collect new inspection fees for rental properties.

Yes, you read that right!

Make no mistake, the city is wanting new money… just because. They threw in a bunch of new fees with the annual budget proposal at the Ozark Board of Aldermen meeting Monday, November 18 at City Hall.

Nothing to see here

Proponents of the new bill say they have all the reasons in the world to collect fees to insure safety and suitable housing. It’s nothing new. It’s done a lot of places where big government exists.

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Citing concerns about not knowing all the facts, Ward III Alderman Eddie Campbell asked Ward II Alderman Bruce Galloway, who was requested to sponsor the bill with the new fees (doesn’t mean Galloway is in favor or not in favor) to make the motion to table the bill until the next meeting in two weeks. Galloway made the motion to table, seconded by Campbell.

“We need time to look over all the new fees and let the public decide what they want,” Campbell told the Christian County Trumpet in an exclusive interview.

All six aldermen voted on whether to table discussion and allow for public input once again on this important matter. Five voted to table it and give it a review, but one alderman wanted to vote on it right away… Jim Metcalf. Hmmm, why is Metcalf eager to vote on the issue?

Sneaky politics push bills through

It’s not just Ozark. It’s all municipal, state and federal government agencies. They try to sneak bills through. School boards do it all the time. Give packets to elected officials on Friday and expect them to vote on it the next Monday. Elected officials need time to review bills in their entirety to make a qualified decision. The public deserves informed voting by the people they elect.

New fee proposals cause concern for real estate industry

Campbell said real estate agents are particularly concerned about how the new fees will negatively impact their industry.

It’s all about sneaking in new ways to collect money… when pressed by Campbell and Alderman David Snider, City Administrator Eric Johnson got squishy. It’s not a topic he wants to highlight. Just pass the bill and get on with it kind of approach, sources say. Watch out, Ozark, and see where the money is going. Come out to the next meeting Monday, December 2, and let your voice be heard!

The Ozark Board of Aldermen meets the first and third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 205 North 1st Street in Ozark.

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