On the Edges

Nixa

Micro Innovations to build addition

A 10,500-square-foot expansion of Micro Innovations Inc. will be completed in March, according to owner Richard Barnhouse. The company, located at 2160 N. Fox Hollow, is expanding its digital scanning operations and adding warehouse space with the addition, which will cost about $250,000, with infill, warehouse racks and furniture, according to Barnhouse. Because of the company's growth, up to 20 new scanning department employees will be hired after the building is complete. The contractor for the project, which involves adding onto three sides of the building, is Don Shone Construction. Construction should begin this week, weather permitting, said Scott Quigg, human resouces director.

Ozark

Council appoint Quigley, Hodges

The Ozark City Council Dec. 20 confirmed Mayor Roger Fortner's appointment of Collin W. Quigley as city administrator. Quigley has been city administrator of Kimberling City since August 1998. A 1989 graduate of Kickapoo High School, Quigley received a bachelor of science degree in public administration and government from Evangel College in 1993, and a master of public administration degree from the University of Kansas in 1998.

He has interned and done contract work for the city of Springfield, doing work ranging from public information to rotating through the Police, Fire, Public Works and Finance departments. He also worked in municipal services for the city of Olathe, Kan., during and after completion of his master's degree.

At age 28, Quigley made his career move coincide with a personal decision to live closer to Springfield, where his wife, Stephanie Quigley, is a pharmacist for Osborn Pharmacy. "The situation here in Kimberling City is really good and it's difficult to leave. But Ozark is a larger city with a larger budget and it presents new challenges," Quigley said.

In Kimberling City, Quigley oversees a budget of just more than $1.3 million and a staff of 22 full-time and five part-time employees. The city government of Ozark just passed a $5.8 million budget and has more than 50 employees, according to Fortner. Quigley will be paid $51,000 per year plus benefits.

Fortner had taken over many of the city administrator's duties since June, when Steve Horton resigned. Fortner said he received $500 per month for his work. "I'm glad we have that over with. Collin's going to be a real asset to Ozark," he said. "He's very familiar with how the job should be operated. I'm confident he'll take it and go."

Fortner plans to cut his City Hall hours from two days a week to two half-days a week and concentrate more on his business, Fortner Electric.

"One of the major things I've accomplished is getting the finances out to the public. The city was borrowing money to operate. I'm trying to get that stopped and get the city more financially stable, but I've been getting a lot of resistance to that, and I didn't expect resistance," Fortner said. "The city has been heading further in debt the last couple of years. It has to hold back and start paying the bills."

Four seats on the city council are up for election in April. Fortner said the mayor and council will have to "work together for the city instead of worrying about our egos." Ozark's tremendous growth puts stress not only on the budget but also the staff, Fortner said. "During this time you really have to be careful with your spending. That is one of the hardest things for people to learn."

"With growth, residential or commercial, residents can enjoy new opportunities closer to where they live and the city can enjoy a larger tax base," Quigley said. "But infrastructure growth such as water, sewer and roads are essential for growth to occur. Someone has to pay for it. Without proper planning and management, you tend to see sporadic growth."

Quigley said he plans to start work in Ozark around Jan. 31, and he is looking forward to meeting city staff and getting up to speed on projects in the works. "Every city has issues. Elected officials have responsibilities to fulfill their roles. Not everyone agrees. They have some very nice people, and I think they can work together despite differences of opinion," Quigley said. "I can work with anybody."

Also at the Dec. 20 council meeting, Lyle Hodges was confirmed as police chief. Fortner said Hodges has been with the Ozark Police Department for 16 years. "At this time we felt it was best to promote from within the police department," Fortner said. The police department has 20 employees and will need more as the city continues to grow, he added.

Retired city clerk Mary Lou Erhart worked with former mayor and current council member Neal Grubaugh to complete the $5.8 million budget. Amendments to the budget are likely to occur in the first or second quarter of 2000, he said.