Bob Foos
Mayor Lynn Ragsdale told members of the Webb City Council Monday that despite rumors they may hear, he will not be a candidate for state representative or county commissioner.
Rather, he said he wants to be mayor for at least one more term.
He and other candidates can sign up beginning Tuesday, Dec. 9. The deadline to file is Tuesday, Dec. 30.
Council members whose current two-year terms will end in 2026 are: Ray Edwards (1st Ward), Alisa Barroeta (2nd Ward), Jerry Fisher (3rd Ward) and Jim Dawson (4th Ward).
The council approved Police Chief Don Melton’s recommendation to purchase new patrol vehicles for an overall cost of $101,968.
NRoute Emergency Vehicles of Ozark, Mo., is selling the 2026 Ford Police Utility all-wheel-drive vehicles for the state-contract price of $45,156 each.
From the total vehicle cost of $135,468, NRoute is deducting $33,500 for the trade-in of five used patrol vehicles. Trade-in amounts varied from $2,500 for a 2014 vehicle to $12,500 for a 2017 model.
A second bid, without trade-in offers, came in at $46,749 each for a total of $140,249.
Melton said three of the five used vehicles are leftover from last year when there was a failed attempt to get more for them than their trade-in value.
A sixth used patrol vehicle is being kept as a pool car for use by employees driving it on city business other than police work.
The purchase of the three new vehicles was budgeted at $151,000. Melton said the balance will be used to complete equipping the vehicles.
The council also:
• Accepted a state grant in the amount of $8,040 for additional safety lights on 10 patrol vehicles.
• Allowed the fire department to purchase an annual subscription for First Due, a computer program for a variety of reports, at a cost of $13,500.
• Approved on second reading an ordinance agreeing to have Liberty Utilities continue providing street lights in the city for up to 10 years.