City of Mountain Grove meets

The Mountain Grove City Council met in regular “open” session council meeting on Oct. 6.
The following members present were Mayor Mark Bushong, Aldermen Carolyn Mitchell, Brenda Clark, Carmen McCarty, Dale Atchison, Zach Hurtt, and Dean Curtis. Alderman Davis was absent. Also present were Police Chief Danny Bledsoe, Fire Chief Clint Gibbens, City Administrator Dakota Bates, Administrative Assistant Linda Mallernee and City Clerk Delores Shelton.
According to drafted minutes, Mayor Bushong appointed Jon Dewitt to fill his vacancy for Ward II until the April 2026 election.
City Clerk Shelton then administered the oath of office to Dewitt.
Both Fire Chief Gibbens and Polite Chief Bledsoe provided reports.
Senior Center Director Becky Lafavor informed the Council of some changes that the Silver Plate/Senior Age has made to the plate meals (meals-on-wheels). They will now provide an all inclusive meal which will include dessert, grains and powder milk.
A motion was voted on for providing regular milk to seniors that prefer it over powdered milk. It passed 6-1-1. Zach Hurtt cast the lone “No” vote and Jamie Davis was absent.
Cheyanne Smith was present and reviewed CAB activities with the Council. She thanked the Aldermen, Mayor and Administrator for attending their meeting.
Kelly Beets presented a plaque to the City and to Linda Mallernee for the Risk Management Grant Award. The City received partial funding totaling $7,756.46 for the following equipment: Air Monitor, Traffic Cones and a Trench Box
A reading of a Use Tax Ballot language was read. A second one will be read in November.
A first reading was read for a bill on Missouri Firefighters critical illness trust.
In the administrator’s report, City Administrator Dakota Bates apologized to the County and public for trying to trade the Christmas Parade route.
He also noted the need for another signer at the bank with the changing of mayors. Bates was approved by the Council to be added.
It was noted that the fence at the fairgrounds will cost approximately $22,000 for just the paint or $34,000 for someone to come in and paint the fence. Consensus of the Council was to not paint the fence.