What’s New in Ozark | March 2026 Newsletter

 

Memorial for CCSO Deputies Gabriel Ramirez and Michael Hislope

March 2026

Events Calendar 11 Last Day to Register to Vote in the April Election Register to Vote 13 Kids Night In 5:30 pm | Ozark Community Center 14 Community Conversation 9:00 am | Ozark Community Center 16 Board of Aldermen Meeting 6:30 pm | City Hall 23 Planning & Zoning Meeting 6:30 pm | City Hall 24 Charter Education Public Meeting (Live stream Q & A) 5:30 pm | City Hall Watch the Live Stream 28 The OC Eggstravaganza 9:30 am | Ozark Community Center Coming in April Ozark Spring Limb Pickup Sisterhood in Success April 16 Register for the Event Dear Ozark residents, As we begin the month of March, our community continues to carry a heavy heart. The tragic events of February 23 and 24 deeply affected Christian County and our Ozark community. During those difficult days, two Christian County deputies lost their lives in the line of duty, and two others were injured while protecting our community. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families of these fallen heroes, the injured deputies and their families, and with Sheriff Brad Cole and the entire Christian County Sheriff’s Office. Even in the midst of this tragedy, I have witnessed the incredible strength and compassion of our community. The memorial at the corner of the Christian County Courthouse Square, filled with flowers and tributes, shows the deep respect our residents have for those who serve. Many people have also reached out asking how they can support the deputies’ families, and I have seen the outpouring of food and encouragement delivered to the Ozark Police Department in support of our officers. These acts of kindness speak volumes about the character of Ozark. In difficult moments, we come together. It is the people of this community who make Ozark such a special place, and I am deeply proud to serve as your mayor — especially during times when our support for one another matters most.  ~Mayor Don Currence

Join the Conversation: Charter Process Public Meeting March 24 Ozark voters will see two questions related to a potential city charter on the April 7, 2026, ballot. To help residents learn more, the City of Ozark will host a public informational meeting on March 24, 2026. Residents are encouraged to attend and ask questions. The meeting will also be available via live stream on the City of Ozark’s YouTube and Facebook pages. In Missouri, a charter city operates under a locally written charter, sometimes described as a city’s governing “constitution,” rather than relying solely on state statutes. A charter can outline how a city government is structured and how certain administrative and operational processes function. On April 7, Ozark residents will vote on whether a charter should be drafted and who would serve on a Charter Commission. If approved, the elected members would have approximately nine months to prepare a proposed charter. Any proposed charter would then return to Ozark voters for final consideration in April 2027. Residents can learn more about the charter process by visiting the Charter Commission Education webpage, which includes a list of Missouri charter cities, frequently asked questions, and a sample ballot to view. Stay Informed on the Charter Commission Process Register for Pick Up

Ozark Police Chief Visits Washington, D.C.

In February, Ozark Police Chief Justin Arnold traveled to Washington, D.C., with the Executive Board of the Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center (MOCIC). Chief Arnold serves as Missouri’s elected representative on the MOCIC Executive Board, representing approximately 410 Missouri law enforcement agencies. MOCIC is one of six Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) nationwide and supports law enforcement agencies across Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. The organization works to strengthen cooperation and intelligence sharing among agencies to combat organized crime and enhance public safety. During the visit, Chief Arnold and fellow board members met with federal leaders to discuss the importance of information sharing, collaborative investigations and continued public safety improvements. Meetings included conversations with Congressman Eric Burlison, Senator Eric Schmitt and other elected officials to highlight the impact of regional law enforcement partnerships across Missouri and the Midwest.  The City of Ozark thanks Chief Arnold for representing our community and Missouri law enforcement so well on the national stage! (Photos: Chief Justin Arnold with Congressman Eric Burlison (top) and with Senator Eric Schmitt and David Hall, MOCIC Executive Director)

Chadwick Flyer Bridge Nearing Completion The Chadwick Flyer Multi-Modal Bridge is in the final stages of completion. The fencing manufacturer is making a few adjustments to the remaining railing pieces, and once those are installed, city officials, MoDOT, and the contractor will conduct a final walk-through. If everything is approved during that inspection, the bridge will be ready to open. You may notice a few finishing touches taking place in the meantime, including staining the walls, as crews wrap up the last details. The finish line is in sight!

Progress Continues on Garrison Springs Trail

The Garrison Springs Trail project has been moving forward quickly thanks to the recent nice weather. Concrete has been poured from the culvert on 3rd Street to halfway into the city's Public Works property, and another section has been completed from just past the Public Works property to approximately 200 feet before 6th Avenue. Road widening and culvert extensions have also begun. Thank you for your continued patience and support as we build infrastructure that makes it easier to walk, bike, and move throughout Ozark. We’re thrilled to see this exciting project taking shape.

Ozark Project Tracker

Now you can check out the latest commercial, residential, and major projects with the City of Ozark's Project Tracker.

Track a Project

Get Your CPTED Security Assessment Today!

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) focuses on preventing crime through smart, thoughtful design of the places where people live, work, and gather. Rather than reacting after problems occur, CPTED looks at how layout, lighting, landscaping, and building design can influence behavior and reduce opportunities for crime. The Ozark Police Department can provide a free CPTED Security Assessment for a home or business within the city limits of Ozark. The assessment will offer suggestions and recommendations to potentially deter crime.

Fill Out the Request Form

Read our Board of Aldermen Recaps February 2, 2026 February 17, 2026

Want to Speak at a Board of Aldermen Meeting? Citizens who wish to address the Board of Aldermen—whether on a specific agenda item or a general topic—are encouraged to sign up in advance. To participate, please register by 5 pm the Wednesday before the meeting. You can email City Clerk Chandra Hodges at chodges@ozarkmissouri.org or call 417-581-2407. Are You Looking For Upcoming Agenda Packets? Agenda packets are available online the Friday before the next Board of Aldermen meeting. While most items are included in advance, last-minute additions may occur. The online link will be updated as much as possible before the meeting to ensure accuracy. Find Agenda Packets

The Spring/Summer Parks & Rec Guide is Here

View the Parks & Rec Guide

Parents, it’s time for your night out… and the kids’ (K-6th graders) night in! Drop them off at The OC on March 13 and let us take care of the food and excitement from 5:30 - 9:30 pm. That means four hours of supervised fun for the kids, and four hours of freedom for you. Spots fill fast, so don’t wait to sign up! Register Here

Make Spring Break the highlight of your child’s year! Sign your K-6 grader up to join us March 16–20 for a full week of fun and adventure! You can sign up for individual days or grab the full week at a discounted rate, and we will take care of the rest from 7am to 6 pm daily. Register Here

Spring and summer are right around the corner, and there’s no better time to rediscover everything Christian County has to offer! From community events and festivals to new local businesses and family-friendly adventures, Explore Christian County is your go-to guide for what’s happening now and what’s coming next. As we gear up for a busy season—including the big Route 66 Centennial Festival—be sure to check out the website for the latest updates, event calendars, and ideas to make the most of your weekends. Whether you’re planning a day trip, entertaining out-of-town guests, or just looking for something fun to do with the family, start your journey at Explore Christian County and see where the road takes you. 🚗 Explore Christian County

The 2026 Citizens Fire Academy kicks off this April, and applications are now open through March 31, 2026. With enrollment limited to just 16 participants, this is a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of the fire service. This year’s academy delivers an immersive, hands-on experience where participants will train alongside the firefighters and learn directly from the command staff, gaining real insight into the skills, teamwork, and dedication it takes to serve the community.

Apply for the Citizens Fire Academy

Sign Up Today!  Christian County’s Smart911 is the premier community notification system, designed to enhance emergency preparedness and ensure residents receive timely, critical alerts during emergencies. Stay informed about severe weather, road closures, public safety concerns, and other urgent events by signing up today. Sign Up for Alerts

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