The Fairmount Police Department is hosting an open house at the Fairmount Community Center to give residents a chance to talk to the recently-hired police chief and new officers.

Chief Chuck Butler has said he’d like to get the community involved in public safety in Fairmount and will discuss the community watch program and other community improvement programs.

Butler said he’s been in contact with different groups about speaking in the future, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Mothers Against Meth, and other public awareness organizations.

“This meeting is to see if residents are interested in participating in these,” he said.

The department recently returned to a full 24-hour, seven day a week status. The event will be on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. The event will be hosted by Butler and Councilwoman Linda Johnson.

The Fairmount City Council voted to drop their millage rate at their regular city council meeting last Monday. The rate was dropped to 5.000 from last year’s 5.093 after Councilman Calvin Watts pointed out that there was enough surplus last year to justify the move.

“Last year, we had about $7,000 more than was on the budget,” he said.

“This will bring in about $2,300 less, but aren’t losing any money,” said Council member Jim Dodd.

*The Fairmount City Council also passed a ordinance allowing for a Fairmount Recreation Board to be formed. The five-person panel would handle the daily operations of the Fairmount Recreation department while the city would continue to maintain the fields and parks.

*Fairmount City Court will reconvene on November 29.

*The council also discussed raising the usage fees for the community center after numbers showed that the expenses were more than the revenues. The issue will be discussed in future meetings, when more data is available.

*Halloween in Tate Park will be Saturday, Oct. 30 from 5-7 p.m.