Lake Ozark makes final payment on City Hall - City of Lake Ozark

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.

Posted on August 12, 2021 by dan

Lake Ozark makes final payment on City Hall

It’s been a long time coming.

Those were the words of Lake Ozark City Administrator Dave Van Dee who announced to the board of aldermen recently that the City Hall building at 3162 Bagnell Dam Blvd. will be paid off this month.

Former Mayor Johnnie Franzeskos and former Alderman Joe Barfield were instrumental in developing a lease-purchase agreement in 2009 with building owner Larry Shields. While it took a few years longer to make the final payment due to budget challenges, the final payment of $60,545.28 was handed to Shields Thursday afternoon.

The former city hall was located at 2624 Bagnell Dam Blvd. behind a car wash and was deemed inadequate as the city’s staff and public needs began to grow in the mid-2000s. The Lake Ozark Police Department was housed in an even smaller building a half block off The Strip. City officials decided to combine the City Hall and LOPD into one building to better serve the public.

The move into the current building was made in September 2009.

Van Dee, who joined the city later that year and who has helped guide the lease-purchase agreement through tough budget times, said the city will reallocate the payments for building maintenance and possible upgrade.

Photo Caption

From left are former Mayor Johnnie Franzeskos, former Alderman Joe Barfield and Larry Shields, who received the final payment on the City Hall.