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1_Main

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1. How do I know in which Ward I live?

You can find your ward by looking at out Ward Map. You can find additional information about your address using our "Branson Address Search."

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City Clerk

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1. When are the Branson Board of Aldermen meetings held?

The Board of Aldermen's regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m., unless cancelled or otherwise scheduled. Additional meetings are scheduled as deemed necessary and posted by the Board. The meeting agendas are listed on the City’s website.

2. Where are the Board of Aldermen meetings held?

The regular meetings are held in the council chambers at City Hall, located at 110 W. Maddux Street. Specially scheduled meetings could be held in various other locations and the meeting agendas will state the location.

3. Are the meetings open to the public?

Yes. All City of Branson government meetings are open to the public and must abide by all open meeting laws. Notices are posted on bulletin boards at City Hall and on the City's website.

4. How are the meetings organized?

Regular Board of Aldermen Meeting

 a. Call to Order.

 The Mayor will call the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 

b. Roll Call.

The City Clerk will call the roll to establish a quorum in order to have an official business meeting.

c. Pledge of Allegiance 

 The Pledge of Allegiance is led by the Mayor 

d. Invocation.

A staff member will give the invocation.

 e. Public Comment

The purpose of Public Comment is to accommodate citizens who have comments regarding City business that the Board of Aldermen has jurisdiction. There is a 5 minute limit for comments.

f. Consent agenda.

Consent Agenda items are routine items that the Board will vote on with one motion. There is no discussion on these items. They may be removed from the Consent Agenda at the request of a citizen or a Board member for further discussion if needed.

g. Regular Agenda.

These items are the regular business items of the Board in the form of an ordinance or resolution. They may include presentations, annexations, codebook updates, zoning changes, bid awards and Board appointments. There is time allotted for public discussion for each item on the Regular Agenda.

h. Reports

Any reports by the Mayor, Board of Aldermen or City Administrator are given at this time.

 i. Adjournment. 

5. Can I address the Board of Aldermen?

Yes. Addressing the Board of Aldermen

6. Why do some of the agenda items have a public hearing?

Certain items by law are required to have a public hearing for public input. Public hearings are always advertised in the paper prior to the meeting. Anyone is allowed to speak at a public hearing and there is no requirement to sign-up prior to the hearing in order to speak.

7. Why does the Board of Aldermen go into an Executive Session?

The Missouri Sunshine Law has specific reasons why a Board can go into Executive Session. When the Board makes the motion to go into Executive Session it must state for what reasons under the Sunshine Law they are going into Executive Session. The only issues that can be discussed in the Executive Session are items that are stated in the motion.

8. If I can't make it to the meetings, is there a way I can watch them?

Yes. The regular meetings are live streamed and the recording is available on the city's website.

9. Where do I find the code that the city follows?

The City of Branson has all of its codes listed in a Municipal Codebook which is available on the City's Website.

10. What is the process for creating municipal legislation?

The City of Branson is a Fourth Class City created under Missouri Statutes in 1912. All laws for the City are created by ordinances, which the City codifies into a user-friendly format. An ordinance originates through citizen, Board, or City staff ideas for reasons such as public safety, problem solving, or other concerns. An ordinance starts out as a bill prepared by staff and is placed on the Board’s regular agenda. The bill is available for public viewing on the internet and at City Hall before each meeting. At the meeting, the bill is read by title by the City Clerk, and citizens along with the Board may discuss issues relevant to the bill. A bill becomes an ordinance after it passes by a majority vote of the elected Board on second reading and takes effect once signed into law by the Mayor. The City contracts with a company to codify ordinances into a book that is indexed for easy look-up of the laws. The City’s codebook is available on our website. The Board of Aldermen can also pass resolutions, hold public hearings, and approve appointments to committees and advisory boards.

11. How do I get involved with the City?

The City has several boards, commissions & committees that citizens are active on.

Administrative Committees:

 • Human Resource Committee

 • Finance Committee

 Advisory Boards: 

• Advisory Park Board 

• Planning and Zoning Commission 

Limited Not-for Profit Corporations:

• Industrial Development Authority

Quasi-Judicial Boards: 

• Board of Adjustment

• Building Code Board of Appeals

 Special Purpose District or Board: 

• Branson Housing Authority Board 

• Transportation Development District

 For more information on the Board or Committee or on how to get involved, please click here.

12. Who can I contact for further information?

The City of Branson's website is designed to help answer citizens’ questions. It’s a great resource for answers to many questions. Also available on the website are email addresses of City staff that can assist in answering your questions. 

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Flock Safety

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1. What is Flock Safety?

Flock Safety is a public safety operating system that helps cities, businesses, schools and law enforcement in thousands of communities work together to stop crime, protect privacy, and mitigate bias. They build hardware and write software that captures the objective evidence police need to solve crimes.

2. What is ALPR?

ALPR stands for Automatic License Plate Readers. ALPR cameras have long helped law enforcement solve crimes.

3. Who uses Flock Safety products?

Flock Safety products can be used by anyone who wants to reduce crime in their community. Flock Safety products are useful for neighborhood HOA boards, police officers, business owners, community improvement districts (CIDs), business improvement districts (BIDs), neighborhood associations, property management, property developers, and any other community members who want to eliminate crime.

4. How does Flock Safety’s ALPR help promote transparency and objectivity in policing?

Flock Safety technology is purpose-built to remove human bias from crime-solving. The ALPR cameras and machine learning technology are engineered to capture vehicle characteristics, types, and license plates, which are then checked against state and federal records to ensure accuracy and minimize errors. 

Because license plate readers do not collect information on who is driving or riding in the vehicle, it is not considered Personally Identifiable Information (PII). The Flock Safety technology does not capture images of pedestrians or passersby. The ALPR cameras take still images of cars passing through the lens (not video) and cannot follow or track vehicles once they leave the camera’s view.

 Flock Safety will never record names, phone numbers, or addresses and doesn’t mark specific locations where people have been. There is no capability in the system to mark or annotate the locations of passersby. 

Finally, Flock Safety is built to enable and encourage transparency, with several features that create robust audit capability. Both private and law enforcement customers must enter a reason for each search made through the Flock Safety system.

5. How long is footage stored and how is it securely stored?

Flock Safety camera footage is stored then deleted after 30 days for privacy and security purposes. It is stored using the Amazon Web Services cloud where all data is fully encrypted at rest. No Personally Identifiable Information is collected or stored.

6. What kind of crime does Flock help solve and reduce?

: Flock Safety helps solve and reduce all types of violent and non-violent crime. Some of the main types of property crime Flock Safety addresses include mail and package theft, home invasions, vandalism, illegal dumping, trespassing and burglary. The system regularly helps solve violent crimes as well, including assault, kidnappings, shootings, and homicides. 

The system Alerts additionally notify law enforcement of vehicles that are in local, state and national databases associated with crimes such as sex offenders, stolen vehicles, stolen plates, warrants, and missing people. The system is not used for minor traffic offenses and parking. 

License plate numbers and Flock’s Vehicle Fingerprint technology give law enforcement the objective, actionable leads needed to solve investigations. It can help pinpoint a subject’s last known location, which narrows down the search radius and time to solve crime.

7. What protections are put in place for Branson PD use of the system?

Branson PD has specific policies in place to prevent misuse of the system. Searches of the system require a specific case number and reason for use. All reasons provided are able to be audited and our agency Flock Administrators conduct regular audits of the system searches.

8. How much did Branson PD spend on the Flock Safety camera system?

: Branson PD received a local violent crime prevention grant for about $23,800 to cover the installation cost and our current cameras for 1 year. Annual costs associated with the camera program, and potentially growing the program, will be included in future police operating budgets and/or grant funded. 

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Human Resources

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1. Where do I get food stamps, WIC, welfare checks, assistance with housing and rent, and child support?

Contact the Division of Family Services at 417-339-0063.

2. Where can I file for unemployment?

Employment Security - (800) 320-2519

3. Where/how do I get Medicare?

Medicare Claims and Information - (800) 633-4227

4. Where do I post jobs for hiring employees?

Missouri Career Center - (417) 334-4156

5. Where do I get Social Security information?

Social Security Information - (800) 772-1213

6. What is the minimum wage?

The Federal minimum wage is $7.25. The State of Missouri minimum wage is $7.35.

7. How do I contact the Better Business Bureau?

(417) 862-4222 or www.bbb.org

8. Where do I report Labor violations?

Log on to the department of labor website at http://www.dol.gov/ or contact the department by phone at (866) 487-2365.

9. What is a Missouri Class D water/wastewater license and how do I become certified?

Contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Quality, Operator Certification Section at (573) 751-1600 or (800) 361-4827

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Main

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1. How do I contact a city/county department?

Visit the Staff Directory to find all department and staff contact information.

2. When are the Branson Board of Aldermen meetings held?

The Board of Aldermen's regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., unless cancelled or otherwise scheduled. Additional meetings are scheduled as deemed necessary and posted by the board. The meeting agendas are listed on the City’s website.

3. Are the meetings open to the public?

Yes. All city of Branson government meetings are open to the public and must abide by all open meeting laws. Notices are posted on a bulletin board in front of City Hall and on the City's website.

4. How do I obtain a copy of a police report?

Reports may not be available in all circumstances so you are encouraged to call the records office at 417-337-8517 or 417-337-8536 beforehand. For accident reports, you can get copies online at www.docview.us.

Branson Accident Reports at www.docview.us

5. When is a building permit required?

A building permit must be obtained prior to commencing any new construction or alterations to an existing structure. This includes, but not limited to, some of the following projects:

• New Building
• Additions
• Renovations
• Demolition
• Prefabricated Structures
• Temporary Buildings
• Electrical Systems
• HVAC Systems
• Plumbing
• Signs
• Landscaping

The plan review process and subsequent inspections protect you, your family, friends, and future owners against the potential hazards of unsafe construction. It also protects your investment, as many insurers do not pay claims on construction performed without the benefit of a building permit, the required inspections, and certificate of occupancy. For more information click here.

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Open for Business Program

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1. Is Open for Business a requirement to open my business?

No, this free service is not required, but, it is highly recommended when opening a business in the City of Branson

2. Who do I contact first?

Contact the Planning and Development Department at 417-337-8549 to visit with a staff representative who will be happy to assist in providing information about Open for Business. Staff will assist in answering questions and determine if an OFB meeting is right for you. 

Click here for a contact information list.

3. How much does a business license cost?

Fees are based on the highest expected number of employees in the Branson business. The business license application registration fee is due at the time the application is submitted to the Finance Department.

For further assistance, contact 417-337-8551.

4. How can I find out if a location is zoned for my business?

Contact the Planning and Development Department at 417-337-8549 to speak with a Planner. They will be happy to assist you with questions pertaining to a preliminary site plan, parking, setbacks, and easements.

5. I am opening a new business. Can I have banners or signs that announce that my business will be opening soon, and do I need a permit?

Yes, with an approved permit.

Your business is allowed a banner, yard or a-frame sign based on the requirements within your zoning district. On-premise temporary signs may be displayed a maximum of 30 days per year. The permitted display duration shall be restarted for an additional 30 days when a business at a specific address changes ownership within a given year.

Temporary Sign Permit Application

6. Where do find and submit my business license application?

You can download a business license application form or you may pick up a form at the Finance Department at City Hall located at 110 W. Maddux Street, Suite 200, Branson, MO 65616. Please submit your application form to the Finance Department.

Business License Application Form

7. How long will it take for my business license to be processed?

The normal processing time for a business license application is three (3) to five (5) business days once all required documentation has been supplied to the City. This includes all applicable approved inspections.

8. How long is my City of Branson business license valid?

Your business license is valid May 1st through April 30th the following year.

9. Do I need a building permit?

A building permit must be obtained prior to commencing any new construction or alterations to an existing structure. This includes, but not limited to, some of the following projects:

• New Building
• Additions
• Renovations
• Demolition
• Prefabricated Structures
• Temporary Buildings
• Electrical Systems
• HVAC Systems
• Plumbing
• Signs
• Landscaping

The plan review process and subsequent inspections protect you, your family, friends, and future owners against the potential hazards of unsafe construction. It also protects your investment, as many insurers do not pay claims on construction performed without the benefit of a building permit, the required inspections, and certificate of occupancy.

Applications for permits are submitted through Citizenserve

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Parks Department

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1. Where are you located?

The Branson RecPlex is located at 1501 Branson Hills Parkway, Branson, MO  65616.

2. Where is the Fitness Center? How much does it cost?

The CoxHealth Fitness Center Branson is located on the 2^nd floor of the Branson RecPlex.  Membership from three months to one year is available, as well as daily, weekly, and monthly passes.  Call CoxHealth Fitness Center Branson at (417)348-0060 for prices or visit their web site for more information.  

3. When is the AquaPlex open?

The Branson AquaPlex is open 7 days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day.  For hours of operation, click here.

4. Is there open gym today?

To view the open gym calendar for the Branson RecPlex, click here.

5. I’m wanting to have a party at the RecPlex. What kind of space is available to rent?

The Branson RecPlex has both party and meeting rooms available to choose from.

6. How do I reserve a pavilion?

Pavilions are available to reserve in several city parks.  Click here for descriptions and reservation fee information.  

7. How do I get into the Dog Park?

Access to the Dog Park requires membership, which ensures that all dogs have current vaccinations. The Dog Park is located at Stockstill Park. Click here for more information and to access an application.

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Planning & Development

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1. When is a building permit required?

A building permit must be obtained prior to commencing any new construction or alterations to an existing structure. This includes, but not limited to, some of the following projects:

• New Building
• Additions
• Renovations
• Demolition
• Prefabricated Structures
• Temporary Buildings
• Electrical Systems
• HVAC Systems
• Plumbing
• Signs
• Landscaping

The plan review process and subsequent inspections protect you, your family, friends, and future owners against the potential hazards of unsafe construction. It also protects your investment, as many insurers do not pay claims on construction performed without the benefit of a building permit, the required inspections, and certificate of occupancy. For more information click here.

2. How do I apply for a permit?

Permit Application Process Flowchart

The Residential Permit Process

The Commercial Permit Process 

All permit requests need to be made through the city’s Citizenserve Portal (www.citizenserve.com/branson).  If you have questions or need any assistance with the process, please contact the Planning & Development Department at (417) 337-8549 during business hours of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

3. How much does a building or a sign permit cost?

For any project, cost is always important. Understanding how permits and plan review fees are calculated will be helpful when bidding or estimating the costs for the permit. Fees are calculated for permit and plan review fees for your project based on the information provided on your application. You can also access our Fees and Guidelines here.

4. What is a plan review fee for a building permit?

The plan review fee is a non-refundable charge for reviewing plans that are submitted with an Application for Building Permit. The fee is based on the estimated total costs for the construction. The plan review fee is collected at the time an application is submitted.

5. Does the city accept electronic plans?

Yes. All plans, drawings, and documents associated with an application or request need to be submitted electronically through the city’s Citizenserve Portal (www.citizenserve.com/branson). Commercial plans need to be digitally stamped by a Missouri Registered Design Professional architect and/or engineer.

6. How long will it take to get a building permit once I submit my application and plans?

Various plans go through the review process with up to seven departments reviewing your application and plans. As a rule, we expect a residential permit (new construction, additions, and remodels) will receive an initial response letter or approval within five working days or less. Commercial and multi-family (three or more units) will receive an initial response letter or approval within ten working days or less. The potential factors that can create delays are numerous. The most common is failure to submit the required plans for a permit. Obtaining a permit in a timely manner depends heavily on the unique issues of your project, the quality of the submitted plans, and the responsiveness of your representative when a reviewer requests additional information or revisions.

Permit Application Process Flowchart

7. When can I pick up my building permit?

Once your application has completed the plan review process, you and members of your team will receive a notification from the city’s Citizenserve Portal that your permit is ready for final payment and then download.  The permit will also include the inspection card which will identify the minimum required inspections for your project.  It is not necessary to print off these items, but you may and post them at the jobsite if desired.

8. How long is my building permit valid?

Your permit is valid for six months from the date of its last activity. In other words, if a period of more than six months lapses after your last inspection (or from the date of issuance if you have not yet received any inspections) then your job is considered suspended or abandoned, and your permit may be revoked due to inactivity.

9. What are the current building codes that apply to my construction projects?

For a list of the current codes and amendments adopted by the City of Branson, click here.

10. When do I need to apply for a sign permit?

The most common activities requiring a permit include, but are not limited to, the construction or installation of a new sign, changing the size or location of an existing sign, upgrading signs from static displays to electronic or digital displays, and adding or changing sign lighting.  Any sign permit requests need to be made through the city’s Citizenserve Portal (www.citizenserve.com/branson).  If you have questions or need any assistance with the process, please contact the Planning & Development Department at (417) 337-8549 during business hours of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

11. Do I need a sign permit just to do repairs to my sign?

General maintenance or upkeep of signs may be completed without a sign permit, provided no modifications are made to the sign or sign structure. Painting a sign structure is a common type of maintenance that can be performed without a permit. However, if the sign must be disassembled, either partially or totally, a permit request will need to be made through the city’s Citizenserve Portal (www.citizenserve.com/branson).  If you have questions or need any assistance with the process, please contact the Planning & Development Department at (417) 337-8549 during business hours of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

12. Do I need a sign permit to simply reface my existing sign?

No. A sign permit is no longer needed for refacing an existing sign.  For any other modifications to an existing sign, a permit request will need to be made through the city’s Citizenserve Portal (www.citizenserve.com/branson).  If you have questions or need any assistance with the process, please contact the Planning & Development Department at (417) 337-8549 during business hours of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

13. How much signage can I have on my property and what types of signs are allowed?

There are many parameters and conditions that are involved in calculating allowed signage, the placement of signs, and the types of signs. Please contact the Planning & Development Department at (417) 337-8549 during business hours of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. 

14. Can I change my sign from on-premises advertising to off-premises advertising?

There are many parameters and conditions that are involved in changing an existing on-premise sign to an off-premise sign. Please contact the Planning & Development Department at (417) 337-8549 during business hours of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

15. I had a sign displayed and someone removed it – what happened?

Any sign that is placed on public property, such as city and state right-of-ways or easements, or has been attached to a utility pole, road sign, utility equipment cabinets, etc., will be removed by city code enforcement personnel. All approved signs must be properly located on private property only.

16. What are the regulations for removing a tree from my property?

All trees that are 6 inches in diameter and measures 4-1/2 feet from the ground are protected in the City of Branson, which means a request must be submitted prior to the removal of a tree. This request must be filed on Citizenserve. 

17. Do I need a permit to trim a tree?

The City of Branson does not require a permit to trim trees.

For information on tree pruning and other tree care tips visit the Arbor Day Foundation's website by clicking the link below.

Arbor Day Foundation

18. What is the purpose of landscape code requirements?

Landscaping requirements were developed and have evolved over the years because of the many benefits associated with appropriate uses of landscaping within a community. Carefully designed landscaping can preserve the aesthetic character of communities or even improve the aesthetic quality of the built environment. It can also deter erosion, promote native wildlife, allow for infiltration of surface water into groundwater resources and reduce the quantity and improve the quality of storm water discharge. You can access the city's landscaping regulations here.

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Police Department

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1. How do I obtain a copy of a police report?

Reports may not be available in all circumstances so you are encouraged to call the records office at 417-337-8517 or 417-337-8536 beforehand. For accident reports, you can get copies online at www.docview.us. Branson Accident Reports at www.docview.us

2. What is the non-emergency number for the Branson Police Department?

The non-emergency number for the Branson Police Department is 417-334-3300.

3. Where can I find crime statistics for Branson?

All calls for service that the Police Department responds to are plotted to a public crime map. These calls are plotted at least once daily. Within this site you have the ability to see the registered addresses of convicted sex offenders, and even register to receive email alerts as crimes are posted to the site. Crime Mapping Tool

4. Where is the Branson Police Department located?

The Branson Police Department is located on Business Highway 65, in the lower level of the Branson City Hall.

5. How do I request a ride along?

The Branson Police Department encourages those interested in a ride along to contact the police department at 417-334-3300. You should ask to speak with an officer about the ride along program. The officer will explain the ride along rules an ask that you come to the police department to show a photo ID and complete the ride along request form. After your completed form is reviewed and approved, you will be contacted regarding the scheduling of a ride along time. Not all ride along requests are approved. The scheduling officer can go over the requirements with you.

6. Where can I go for help with a domestic violence situation?

The Branson area has multiple resources for victims of domestic violence. One of the most effective options is to seek a protective order. These orders can be granted the same day and are immediately enforceable by police. These documents offer protection in the form of a court order that prohibits contact from the abuser, specifies custody of children as well as other prohibited or required acts. Please contact the Taney County Circuit Clerk at (417) 546-7230 to seek such an order. Additionally you can call (417) 561-5084 or (866) 379-0074 (toll free) for shelter assistance.

7. I have expired or unwanted medications what is the best way to dispose of them?

Inside the Branson Police Department lobby is a secured drug drop box in which you can place unwanted or expired medications. The medications collected and safely disposed of by the Drug Enforcement Agency.

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Utilities

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1. Who sets City of Branson water and sewer rates?

Branson Board of Alderman review water and sewer rates annually, with a study done every 5 years.

2. Why does my water look white or milky?

Air can become trapped in water distribution lines after repairs have been performed due to line breaks. To remove the air from your service line run the taps in your home for several minutes to see if the white color dissipates. If the problem persists contact the Utilities Department at 417-243-2740.

3. Why does my water sometimes taste or smell bad?

Several factors can play a role in creating taste and odors in drinking water. Some of the most common are:

• If the taste is chlorine it is usually one of two reasons, either the chlorine levels in the tap water are too low, most common, or too high.
• If your drinking water has an organic or earthy taste it is normally caused by algae bloom in source surface water. Since Branson uses about 94% surface water from Lake Taneycomo for our water supply there are periods of time during the year where this taste is very noticeable. Although a nuisance, the water is still completely safe to drink.
• If you have a rotten egg smell especially in your hot water lines the problem is usually formed in a water heater. Bacteria may form and grow especially if there is low water usage through the unit. Flushing water through the water heater periodically will usually eliminate the problem.

For further assistance with, or more information about any of these conditions call the Utilities Department at 417-243-2740.

4. How many gallons of potable water are produced each year from City of Branson water treatment facilities?

In 2016 Branson water facilities produced over 1,249,822,000 gallons of potable water. (1.249822 Billion Gallons)

5. How often is my drinking water tested and where can I obtain the results?

Branson water treatment facilities are manned 24 hours per day 7 days a week. Parameters for process control are continuously monitored at several locations throughout each treatment facility. Frequent scheduled sampling is performed throughout the entire water distribution system to verify that the water produced continuously meets stringent Missouri DNR and Federal EPA public health requirements. Tests which are most critical to public health are performed by a third party laboratory contracted by DNR and EPA. Combined results of water testing throughout the year can be found in the City of Branson Consumer Confidence Water Quality Report or you may call 417-243-2740 for more detailed information about the water in your specific area of the City.

6. What happens to the drinking water after the customer sends it down the drain?

The City of Branson collects sewer from residential and commercial business customers inside the city limits and numerous developments surrounding the City. The wastewater is collected through a gravity sewer line and sewer pump station system. Sewer pump stations are used to pump sewer over the hilly terrain to the wastewater treatment plants. In 2016 over 1,480,000,000 gallons (1.48 Billion Gallons) of wastewater was treated at Branson’s two wastewater plants. As a result of that treatment over 667 tons of solids were captured and removed from the sewer stream before letting the water back into Lake Taneycomo. The treatment system also removed over ? tons of phosphorus from the water before it was put back in the lake. Branson’s state of the art wastewater facilities are capable of removing better than 99% of the waste in the sewer coming onto the facilities.     

7. How often does my fire hydrant get painted?

Every four to five years.