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City Receives Blue Shield Designation: The City of Lake Ozark and Lake Ozark Police Department are honored to have been named a Missouri Blue Shield City by Missouri Department of Public Safety.Of this designation for our agency and community, Police Chief James Boren says "I'm honored to accept this Blue Shield City designation, which reflects the outstanding work of our Board of Aldermen, city staff, and police department working in partnership. This recognition from Governor Kehoe and the Missouri Department of Public Safety validates what I've observed throughout my 20-year career here—our community's growing commitment to public safety. During my tenure as chief, I've seen firsthand how the dedication of our officers, combined with incredible community support, creates the foundation for this kind of recognition. This achievement belongs to everyone who has contributed to making our city safer."The Missouri Blue Shield Program, created by Governor Kehoe in January 2025 through Executive Order 25-03, recognizes local governments that make significant efforts to reduce crime, foster law enforcement collaboration, and build strong community partnerships for public safety. “Public safety is the foundation of a thriving community and state. It affects everything from families feeling secure to businesses having the confidence to invest and grow,” said Governor Kehoe. “We designed the Missouri Blue Shield Program to recognize communities that go above and beyond in creating a place where people want to live, work, and build their futures. A Missouri Blue Shield designation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of local governments across Missouri who are leading the way in making public safety a priority.”“The Department of Public Safety is proud to work alongside communities like Lake Ozark, that have shown exceptional dedication to enhancing public safety,” said Mark James, Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS). “This program is about fostering collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Our goal is to support these efforts, providing resources and guidance to help communities build sustainable, long-term solutions for crime reduction and public safety.”Communities are eligible for a Missouri Blue Shield designation based on their dedication to reducing crime, making substantial investments in public safety, and developing strong collaboration with law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders. Each participating community’s commitment will be reviewed annually to ensure continued alignment with the program’s goals. Communities that earn a Missouri Blue Shield designation will receive grant funding for law enforcement training and equipment as part of Governor Kehoe’s Recommended Budget for the State Fiscal Year 2026. Communities will also be featured on Governor Kehoe’s social media pages as well as the DPS website to highlight their participation in the program. The City of Lake Ozark earned a Missouri Blue Shield designation due to its exceptional commitment to public safety. Through officer recruitment and retention efforts, introduction of our K9 program, increased funding to public safety, and an enhanced approach to community policing, we have demonstrated a strong and ongoing commitment to protecting our residents and visitors.

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Posted on by dan

Fish Haven Phase 3 supported by resolution

The prospects for the next phase of an affordable housing complex in Lake Ozark got a huge boost when the board of aldermen recently approved a resolution of support.

City officials have thrown their support behind the construction of Phase 3 of Fish Haven North, an expansion of the existing affordable housing units along Fish Haven Road. Developers already have built a multi-unit affordable housing complex – Fish Haven Apartments – and a senior retirement center – Fish Haven Estates.

The proposed buildings would be located on 19 parcels of land on Fish Haven Road, Hickory Drive and Forest Hills Road. One of the proposed buildings would be located at Fish Haven and Hickory Drive. The second would be located on South Fish Haven just west of Fish Haven Estates.

The board also approved final reading of ordinances rezoning the area in question and a final plat for the subdivision at its Aug. 24 meeting.

What stands in the way now is the Missouri Housing Development Commission which is being asked to issue housing credits that would help subsidize the Phase 3 project. If those are approved, the project will go to the design phase and then will go out for bid – hopefully early next year.

Briscoe Ozark Development Group, developer of Fish Haven Apartments and Fish Haven Estates, is hoping to expand the footprint of affordable housing along South Fish Haven Road with two 20-unit complexes adjacent to Fish Haven Apartments. 

Pete Ramsel, representing Briscoe, has said that equity raised by selling the tax credits to investors is used to help buy down the cost of the project. Private equity will fund between 85 and 90 percent of the project with the balance borrowed. That helps keep the overall cost down, making the units more affordable to the public, he explained.

Ramsel said the two-bedroom units will rent for between $500 and $600, and the three-bedroom units will rent for $550-$650 per month. 

Phase 1 of the Fish Haven developments – Fish Haven Apartments – opened in early 2016. Fish Haven Estates, the senior living community across from the apartment complex, opened in early 2018 as Phase 2.

He also praised Briscoe Development Group and McClure Engineering, the engineer firm for all three phases, for their partnership in the projects.

 

Resolution

The resolution notes that Lake Ozark and its residents benefit from the availability of quality, affordable housing. But the city currently lacks that type of housing availability due to the economic growth of Lake Ozark and the growing population that has been attracted to the area.

Lake Ozark has been presented with a site plan and development plans for development of family housing units to be constructed to the north of the existing Fish Haven Apartments. 

City of Lake Ozark officials are aware that the developer is submitting an application to the MHDC for approval of its project as workforce housing, and the city supports the developer’s effortsw to bring such needed affordable housing to the community.