City of Cole Camp

09/16/2026

https://www.cityofcolecamp.com/2026-09-17-council-meeting

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

From the Mayor’s Desk - August 31, 2026

Cole Camp Fair Notices
The World’s Fair is a week away! Please follow the City of Cole Camp and the Cole Camp Police Department on Facebook for the most up-to-date information related to the fair.

You’ll see city staff and volunteers placing street barricades as usual, and we will continue working with the Fair Board to support our biggest event of the year.

This year will be a little bit different due to the sidewalk replacement and ongoing construction. All concrete should be poured, and we may have permanent handrails placed on the West side of Maple Street. Unfortunately, we will have temporary handrails on the East side of Maple Street – please don’t lean on them! They are in place to keep walkers from tripping on new curbs and walls, not to bear weight.

Public Works Director – Position Filled
During our August 26, 2026, special meeting the Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to hire Clint Raetz as our Cole Camp Public Works Director. Clint brings extensive heavy equipment experience to this position, along with important administrative and technical knowledge that will benefit our city. Clint is a lifelong resident of the Cole Camp area and an active supporter of our community.

Upcoming Important Dates
Regular Meeting of the Board of Aldermen – September 17, 2026 at 7:00PM
Office Hours – By Appointment Only

My Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 573-821-2090

09/03/2026

From the Mayor’s Desk - August 24, 2026

City Budget Out of Balance
During last week’s Regular Meeting of the Board of Aldermen, we confronted the Semi-Annual Financial Statement produced by the City Clerk. This statement shows that the City of Cole Camp spent more tax dollars than we collected in the first six months of 2026. This led to a discussion on the 2026 Budget, adopted in December 2025 by a previous administration. This budget was balanced using an enormous amount of our city’s cash reserves – six figures.

If we don’t balance the City’s budget, we continue to spend down our cash reserves at a breakneck pace. In about three years, Cole Camp will be forced to liquidate its CD and at this rate, even $1 million would only last a few years.

I’ve attached an overview, from the 2026 Budget, of anticipated revenue and expenses referred to as the “Cash Flow Summary”. This is what the City believes it will collect from taxes and fees, as well as what the City plans to spend. As you can see, most of our budget silos are expected to spend more than they bring in. Subtract the “projected expenses” from “projected revenues” to see just how far out of balance the 2026 budget is.

That leaves two options: balance the budget by reducing planned spending or raise taxes and fees. I think the first thing we need to do is balance the budget to see why the City’s spending has spiked. I will continue to report to the public what I find. I appreciate the unanimous agreement of the Aldermen to work with me to make these reductions.

Waste Water & Water Distribution Testing
This Wednesday, August 26, 2026, we will meet for a Special Session to consider two agreements for contract operators. Earlier this month, the City’s Public Works Director resigned, requiring the City to acquire contract operators for our sewer system and drinking water distribution system. The Department of Natural Resources permits both roles, and if the City is to use a contractor, we must have a contract in place. (At the time of this posting, we’ve met and secured both contract operators and hired a new Public Works Director)

Over the next week, City staff will be adding sampling results to our official website. (These results are online: https://www.cityofcolecamp.com/city-information-0c28254)

Upcoming Important Dates
Special Session – August 26, 2026 at 5:00PM
Office Hours – By Appointment Only

My Contact Information
[email protected]
573-821-2090