West Newsmagazine 7-5-17

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NEWS BRIEFS, from page 11
Manchester Police clean
up for Special Olympics
At the June 19 meeting of the Manchester
Board of Aldermen, Police Chief Tim
Walsh presented a $13,244 check to Stacey
Koeller, Special Olympics Missouri’s
regional development director. The check
represented proceeds from the 12th annual
“Clean Up For Special Olympics” event, a
partnership between the Manchester Police
Department and Tucker’s Place West.
The Special Olympics has been the primary
charitable program of the Manchester
Police Department, which has raised
$105,000 for the charity over the past 12
years. For the last 10 years, Tucker’s Place
West has hosted the event and donated a
generous portion of the evening’s receipts
to Special Olympics.
“As always, a very sincere special thanks
to Tucker’s Place West owners Tom and
Debra Struharik, who continue to welcome
our event and who repeatedly serve as an
outstanding benefactor and number-one
supporter,” said Walsh at the check presentation.
“To everyone involved, whether
you ran in the Torch Run, bused a table,
sold or bought a shirt, made a donation, or
just showed up to have dinner at Tucker’s,
please accept my sincere appreciation on a
job well done.”
WEST COUNTY
Fire district audit shows
good financial health
The West County EMS and Fire Protection
District’s audit of its 2016 fiscal year
financial statements shows the district
improved its net position during the year.
Defined as its total assets minus total liabilities,
the district’s net position increased
more than $1.44 million to nearly $14
million last year. Of that amount, some
$8 million is restricted for specific activities
such as retiring debt incurred by the
earlier sale of bonds, ambulance services
and employee pensions. The remainder is
unrestricted and available to meet current
and future needs and obligations.
That indicator of West County’s financial
position was one of the highlights in the
audit report recently submitted to the district’s
Board of Directors by Botz Deal &
Company. The auditors concluded the district’s
various statements presented fairly
the financial position of West County’s
activities and the status of its individual
funds for the fiscal year that ended Dec. 31.
Other highlights from the audit included:
• Overall revenue up marginally for the
year and exceeding expenses by $1.1 million,
though property tax revenues were
down slightly in 2016. Income from services
such as commercial and residential
inspection and ambulance billings were up
while interest costs and ambulance-related
expenses were lower.
• Fees received for providing fire protection
and emergency medical services
outside the district’s taxing boundaries
accounted for $3.7 million.
• The district’s investment in land, buildings,
vehicles, furniture and equipment
total more than $22.7 million. Accumulated
depreciation lowered that value to
$14.3 million as of 2016 year end.
• $4.97 million available for future
financing from the $19 million in general
obligation bonds West County voters
approved in 2008.
July 5, 2017
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
I 35
[From left] Evan Waters, Marilyn Ottenad, Stacey Koeller, Debra and Tom Struharik, and Tim
Walsh with a check for the Special Olympics.
Playdates at Happy Hounds Playground!
Hound Playdate!
Saturday, July 8 - FREE
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m
We’re calling all beagles, bassets, bloodhounds, coonhounds,
and foxhounds. Help us be true to our name and come play!
You do not need to be a member to enjoy this playdate. Bring
vet records to show proof of vaccinations and spay/neuter.
No children under 12.
Little Dog Playdate!
Saturday, July 15 - FREE
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
All dogs under 30 lbs. are invited to come enjoy our small dog
area. We have one acre of open space, playground equipment,
and a splash pad. You do not need to be a member. Bring vet
records to show proof of vaccinations and spay/neuter. No
children under 12.
2448 Pond Rd. • Wildwood, MO 63040
314-456-8358
www.happyhoundsplayground.com
Happy Hounds Playground
A Membership Dog Park
with 10 Acres of Fun!
Apply online @
www.happyhoundsplayground.com
A Special Thank You to Our Park Sponsors