BELLE — Local residents donated body cameras to officers of the Belle Police Department on Oct. 12 after hearing on a Maries County Advocate Facebook Live video that the city was currently trying to purchase equipment, but had limited funds.

Dwane Thompson and John Bialczyk met Police Chief Joe Turnbough and Officer Jerry Coborn outside of Belle City Hall last Wednesday afternoon to surprise them with the donation.

“We heard that you needed these,” Bialzcyk said as he handed the Amazon box to Turnbough in front of Alderman Kayla Bray.

The two cameras were 1080P HD with a 32G high speed SD card, complete with night vision and motion detection.

“It always helps to see the community pull together to rebuild our police department or any project we do within the city,” Bray said. “The body cameras were needed to protect our officers while out on duty. Donating items helps rebuild our police department no matter how big or small the donation is. I greatly appreciate seeing our citizens support the city in the decisions that have been made.”

Aldermen made several purchases for the police department during the Oct. 10 meeting as well.

A quote was received from Osage County in the amount of $4,000 per year for the police dispatching services. Alderman Jeanette Struemph made a motion to accept the bid, which was seconded by Alderman Adam Padgett and approved with a 4-0 vote.

Turnbough also presented Bray with a list of Maries County equipment for sale in the amount of $2,610 — estimated to be less than half price in some cases depending on the type of equipment. The purchase was approved with a 4-0 vote.

Aldermen voted 4-0 to purchase a new patrol car in the amount of $35,800 from Jim Butler Chevrolet in Linn, with a lease purchase through the Maries County Bank. The payments will be $1,050 per month for the next three years.

Lastly, the marshal’s salary and benefits remain at $100 a month since they were changed by ordinance in 2020 and took effect in May 2021. The salary and benefits must be changed by ordinance prior to open filing for the office in December.

The ordinance must be read twice. The first reading of the revised ordinance must be read in October, the second reading may take place and be approved in November, prior to the December filing.

Aldermen failed to approve the 2022-23 budget, that was due July 1, earlier in the meeting and instead opted for another special work session at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 10. Mayor Daryl White, Jr., informed aldermen that the marshal’s salary also needed to be changed via ordinance, which had not been written yet.

Struemph made a motion to table the matter until the special session on Oct. 19, which was seconded by Alderman Barb Howarth.