BLAND — The Bland Board of Aldermen approved the purchase of additional water meters, adopted clarified language in the city’s water and sewer user charge ordinances, and reviewed December financial and court activity during its Jan. 12 meeting at the John L. Baxter City Administration Building.

During new business, the board voted to purchase a box of eight water meters at a cost of $1,320 for the city.

Public Works Director Rodney Turner said, “We got about two water meters left at the shop. We need to get some more. I have at least three that I need to put in soon.”

The meters cost $165 each, and the purchase would help the city continue converting customers to the newer reader system as well as replace meters damaged by weather or other issues.

Also related to utility operations, aldermen granted Jim Krause permission to cross a city easement to install electrical service underground to a house he is renovating near the post office. Turner said Ameren recommended running the line underground due to trees and other obstacles that could complicate an overhead route. Officials said city utilities were not located near the planned path.

Turner also advised the board that a nearby house would be receiving water service after a long period without it. He said he was scheduled to expose the main and install a new service line, meter and setter, noting the previous setup was old and stripped out and that a newer main now runs through the area. Because of the equipment positioning required for the work, he said that the road could be temporarily shut down and signs would be placed if needed.

Following discussion, the board approved financials and multiple reports.

During the court report, officials said the municipal court took in $1,346 in fines for December and that after distributions, $1,180 remained. The court report also listed 43 new citations, 11 show-cause matters for failure to appear, nine continuances, one trial and three bond hearings. Officials also said there were 12 warrants issued for failure to appear during 2025, and that the court collected $22,674 in fines for the year. The next court date is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Feb. 23 at the John L. Baxter City Administration Building.

In the treasurer’s report discussion, city officials noted the city was not operating in the negative, but showed a balance of $51.43 on the profit-and-loss report, which Mayor Merrilee Spurgeon described as progress compared to prior years when finances were routinely in the red. Officials discussed that some bills are scheduled and paid automatically, while other invoices are listed in the monthly financial packet based on the city’s billing cycle and how items are entered into QuickBooks. The board approved the financials.

The board also approved the minutes from the Dec. 8 meeting.

Later in the meeting, aldermen adopted revised language in the city’s 2025-26 water and sewer user charge ordinances. Spurgeon said the changes were made after discussions with the city attorney and were intended to clarify wording related to apartment units, replacing language that referenced kitchens and kitchenettes. The change did not alter how the rates apply but was intended to be clearer, with officials adding that the attorney had approved the ordinances as revised.

The board conducted two readings and then voted to approve the changes.

In other discussion, Spurgeon said they have had multiple people inquire about building duplexes and “tiny homes” in Bland. Board members discussed the need for clearer ordinances and possibly forming a zoning board to address where such housing could be located and what minimum requirements should apply, including what qualifies as a permanent structure and whether a minimum square footage should be established. Officials said the topic would be added to the agenda for the next meeting.

A separate public safety discussion touched on police presence in town and the board received an officer’s report from Police Chief Charles (Chuck) Holtz. He said the department conducted a community event in December that included a tour for students from Small Wonders, including fingerprinting, lunch and souvenirs.

Holtz also reported that Bland’s “Shop With a Hero” fundraiser raised $1,754 for area children during the holidays, and he reviewed policing totals for 2025, including calls for service, traffic stops and arrests.

Holtz said, “We had 399 calls for service with 743 traffic stops. We had 27 arrests.”

Aldermen approved Holtz’s request for attending the police chiefs conference May 3-6 at the Lake of the Ozarks. The cost discussed included $396 for registration and estimated lodging and related expenses approaching $900 to $950, which were also approved.